Openluchtmuseum Ellert en Brammert

The Ellert and Brammert Open-Air Museum in Schoonoord lets you experience life in old Drenthe. This atmospheric museum village, named after the legendary giants Ellert and Brammert, takes you back to the days of sod huts, traditional crafts, and rural life.

As you stroll through the large site, you’ll pass authentic farmhouses, a small school, a church, a jail, and a blacksmith’s workshop. Each building is furnished as it would have been, with period furniture, tools, and household items. You’ll discover how people lived and worked under tough conditions on Drenthe’s poor sandy soils.

The sod huts, made of turf and wood, form the heart of the museum. Entire families lived in these simple homes, often sharing space with their animals. The poverty and simplicity of the time become tangible here.

You can also watch traditional crafts in action. Regular demonstrations include basket weaving, blacksmithing, and spinning. Children can explore the museum with a treasure hunt or play with old-fashioned toys.

There is also an exhibition about the folk tale of Ellert and Brammert, two giants who, according to legend, terrorized travelers in the Drenthe peatlands. Their story adds a mythical touch to the museum.

Surrounded by nature, the museum is a lovely place to visit in any season. After your tour, enjoy a drink at the museum café or browse the small gift shop.

Ellert and Brammert Open-Air Museum is an educational and engaging experience for all ages, full of history, stories, and traditional crafts from old Drenthe.