Bärnau-Tachov History Park: Construction of a replica of a Castle using Medieval Techniques | OH-H06 | 2026-08-02 - 2026-08-15 | CONS,RENO | Age: 18 - 35

Open Houses is a non-profit network dedicated to the preservation and reactivation of historic buildings and sites as shared cultural spaces. Rather than treating heritage as static or purely commemorative, Open Houses understands historic places as environments shaped through continued use, dialogue, and collective responsibility. The organisation initiates and supports projects that combine hands-on conservation with cultural, educational, and community-oriented activities, enabling sites to remain physically accessible and socially meaningful. The main objective of Open Houses is to reactivate historic sites as living parts of their communities, supported by international volunteers who contribute to their conservation and rehabilitation through practical engagement. The origins of the organisation date to the mid-1980s, when volunteer groups in East Germany began restoring endangered village churches. These efforts quickly evolved beyond repair work into the reanimation of the buildings as lived spaces for exhibitions, music, discussion, and communal engagement. This approach (linking practical preservation with active participation) remains central to Open Houses today. European Heritage Volunteers is an international programme network initiated and administered by Open Houses to extend these objectives across Germany and beyond. Conceived as a platform for capacity building in the heritage field, it brings together students, emerging professionals, and skilled craftspeople to participate in hands-on conservation projects, training courses, and educational initiatives at heritage sites. The programme combines practical work, such as traditional building techniques, landscape conservation, documentation, and maintenance, with structured learning components addressing heritage theory, site management, and cultural context. Implemented in cooperation with site owners, conservation authorities, and partner organisations, European Heritage Volunteers functions as a bridge between professional heritage practice and international exchange, fostering the transmission of traditional skills, interdisciplinary learning, and shared responsibility for the safeguarding of cultural heritage.

Work: This training course provides a unique opportunity to actively participate in the construction process of a 14th-century castle replica, gaining hands-on experience in historical building techniques under the supervision of specialists in stonemasonry, timber construction, and medieval resource management. The participants will engage in traditional stone working methods, including splitting granite blocks using wedges, tooling ashlar stones, and setting them with a medieval crane. They will learn the formulation and application of traditional lime mortars, developing an understanding of historical binders and their role in medieval masonry. Additionally, the training will include timber hewing, where participants will work with greenwood tree trunks, using hand tools to shape beams for structural components. The educational programme complements the hands-on work with in-depth theoretical sessions on historical construction methods, medieval material science, and conservation ethics. Participants will explore the environmental impact of pre-industrial construction, particularly focusing on the concept of embodied energy, the way in which medieval building relied exclusively on renewable materials and manual labour, in contrast to today’s fossil-fuel-driven construction industry.

Accomodation and food: Accommodation: Participants will be accommodated in tents within the medieval history park complex. Shared spaces and essential facilities, including sanitary amenities and kitchen access, will be provided to ensure a functional and comfortable stay within the heritage setting. Food: The meals will be prepared together as they are part of the community life, what means that every participant will be responsible for the meal at least once during its stay. So, it would be very nice if the participants could bring typical recipes from home in order to introduce each other to the preparation of food from all over the world. Insurance: In cases of accident and liability all participants from foreign countries are insured by Open Houses. Nevertheless, individual travel insurance is recommended. Participants from outside European Union are insured in cases of illness, too. Participants from the European Union should bring their European Health Insurance Card. Finances All costs linked to the project are covered, including food, accommodation, insurance and transportation during the stay at the project. Travel costs to and from the camp place are not covered. Participants should organise their journey to and from the project place by themselves and on their own expenses. Furthermore, participants should bring their own pocket money.

Location: GeschichtsparkBarnauTachov

Location and Leisure: The Bärnau-Tachov History Park, located in Bärnau, Bavaria, is Germany s most extensive medieval archaeological open-air museum, offering visitors an immersive journey through the Middle Ages. The park contains two reconstructed settlements from the 9th and the 14th centuries, providing a tangible and vivid portrayal of life during these periods. Through a combination of authentic architecture, interactive exhibits, and live demonstrations, the park brings to life the daily experiences, crafts, and traditions of medieval communities. Since 2017, it has also become home to an ambitious experimental construction site—the recreation of a late medieval castle residence, based on historical plans of Kaiser Karl IV’s 14th-century travel residences along the Goldene Straße (Golden Road) This route was an important medieval trade and travel corridor connecting Prague and Nuremberg, facilitating commerce and cultural exchange across Central Europe. Emperor Karl IV (1316–1378), one of the most influential rulers of the Middle Ages, served as both the King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor. This route not only enhanced trade but also symbolised the interconnectedness of European regions during the medieval period. The castle reconstruction at Bärnau-Tachov History Park draws inspiration from the architectural styles and construction methods prevalent during Karl IV s era, offering insights into the strategic and residential edifices that dotted this historic route. Operated by the non-profit association Via Carolina – Goldene Straße e.V., the Bärnau-Tachov History Park serves as a bridge between past and present, encouraging a more in depth understanding of medieval life and the lasting impact of Emperor Karl IV in medieval German history.

Airport: NUE

Train/Bus station: Bärnau

Requirements: Special requirements are sending a CV, application form, and motivation letter to office@heritagevolunteers.eu prior to selection there will be an interview. Candidates should be interested in the topic of the project / training course and demonstrate it in the motivation letter and interview.

Will be provided in the infosheet

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 150 EUR