Museumsdorf Düppel - Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin (DE)

Hidden in a green forest like area of 16 hectares, one such a village was excavated and subsequently almost in full extent and on the exact spot reconstructed in the early 1970s. Twenty five smaller and larger houses are situated around a common – hidden in the modern metropolis. You really need to know that it exists in order to find it. The modern facilities and offices are housed in containers a bit further away. The village is maintained by a large group of friends of Düppel, and is owned by the Stadtmuseum (City Museum). The association of friends counts about 1,300 members who execute almost all tasks in running the village. Düppel is renowned in Germany and abroad for its active group of volunteers, their perseverance and the many documented experiments. Some volunteers are employed at university, others are retired or have another background. Many of the volunteers are connected to Düppel for a long time already. There are friendly connections with Biskupin in Poland. From its very beginning, Düppel gained a lot of support, although not financially.

Over 100 own publications have been printed with activities, research and experiments in many different fields by the different workgroups. Fields of interest and practical work in Düppel are for example textiles, ceramics and pitch & tar production. Livestock, especially pigs, are an important focus of interest. The so called “Düppeler Weideschweine” are a recognised breed of pigs which look like their medieval counterparts. The 16 hectares are also used to grow medieval crops, which in their turn are used in for example experiments in dyeing wool and for own consumption.

The project is heavily frequented by school groups from Berlin, less by tourists. The village is open on Sundays and holidays only, between April and October.

The museum shop sells many reconstructions, for example ceramics and textiles made in the village itself. Medieval themed food and drinks are as well offered, albeit on a small scale.

The season usually has some events when a specific living history group which fits the theme is invited, like for example “the crusaders return from the Holy Land”. Own volunteers ensure the village is nicely crowded with craftspeople. Düppel also hosts events around a theme, for example 13th century textiles, with craftspeople and archaeotechnicians from Germany and abroad exchanging experience with each other and the public.