Instead of going to the Swiss Miniature in Ticino, the Ballenberg Museum is the life size version of a compressed Switzerland. The museum moved over 100 historic and original buildings from all around the country to be displayed in an open-air setting. You are welcome to walk into most of the buildings and discover how people live in different regions of Switzerland. Ever wanted to see what was inside a local rural house? Now is your chance.
House from Ticino 
House from Ticino 
Alpine row houses 
Other exhibits include themes like agriculture and traditional crafts. I think it’s particularly creative that they allow visitors to try their hand on making bricks, shingles, and other basic rural construction skills. They are also the first and only museum in Switzerland to acknowledge that state-endorsed child labor was used in a significant proportion of their agricultural workforce well into the 20th century.
Many cowbells 
Mini farm 
Relocated village 
Industrialist’s home
The terrain is hilly with mostly country lanes connecting the buildings and two areas where visitors can experience a mini hike in the alps. If you go in the morning, you might see fighter jets passing over from the nearby Meiringen Air Base. Just a reminder of how the Swiss are willing to compromise their serene Alpine environment for national defence, the effectiveness of which is hotly debated.
You can park at one of their two parking lots or take the Postal Bus service there from the nearby town of Brienz.
