Freilichtlabor Lauresham (Kloster Lorsch)

Freilichtlabor Lauresham in Lorsch is a one-of-a-kind open-air archaeological research site that reconstructs life around the year 800. Adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kloster Lorsch, this early medieval model manor vividly shows what life was like for peasants, craftsmen, and nobility in the Carolingian era.

Lauresham is not a traditional museum – it is both a research site and a living experience. More than twenty reconstructed buildings, including a manor house, farmhouses, stables, workshops, and granaries, have been built using historically accurate materials and methods based on archaeological findings.

Visitors can join guided tours to learn about daily life in the early Middle Ages. You'll see cultivated fields, ancient livestock breeds, traditional tools, and demonstrations of medieval crafts such as blacksmithing, pottery, weaving, and basketry. Costumed staff help bring the past to life with authenticity and passion.

Lauresham also functions as a research hub. Topics include sustainable agriculture, early energy systems, and social hierarchies from the 9th century. Schools and universities use the site for educational purposes, workshops, and academic studies.

For families and children, the site offers hands-on experiences: medieval games, scavenger hunts, and creative workshops make history interactive and fun. Themed days, craft fairs, and historical reenactments are held regularly throughout the year.

Access to Lauresham is only possible via guided tour to preserve the peaceful atmosphere and the integrity of ongoing research. Advance booking is recommended. A small visitor center at the entrance offers information, a shop, and restrooms.

Lauresham is within walking distance of Kloster Lorsch and can easily be combined with a visit to the monastery grounds, nearby museums, or a walk through the surrounding nature reserve. Parking is available nearby.

For those interested in history, sustainability, archaeology, or craftsmanship, Freilichtlabor Lauresham offers a uniquely immersive and educational experience. Step back into the early Middle Ages – and discover how surprisingly relevant the past can be.