The Site
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 structures from the 9th and the 13th 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, the Bärnau-Tachov History Park 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 Via Carolina, also known as the Golden Road. This route was an important medieval trade and travel corridor connecting Prague and Nuremberg, facilitating commerce and cultural exchange across Central Europe. Thie Via Carolina not only enhanced trade but also symbolised the interconnectedness of European regions during the medieval period.
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. His reign was marked by significant political, economic, and cultural advancements, including the establishment of the Via Carolina. 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.
The park's commitment to authenticity is further exemplified through its exclusive use of period-appropriate materials and techniques in the castle's replica’s construction. The park’s involvement in this venture offers valuable insights into medieval resource management, craftsmanship, and sustainable practices. This hands-on approach functions as both an educational tool for historical building methods and as a demonstration of their continued relevance in contemporary discussions on sustainability and heritage conservation.
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. Through its fusion of archaeological research, historical reconstruction, and hands-on educational experiences, the Bärnau-Tachov History Park serves as a living laboratory for heritage professionals, historians, and craftspeople. Bringing the medieval world to life, the park emphasises the lasting importance of historical knowledge in contemporary heritage conservation and sustainable architecture.
The Training Course
The 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 also learn the formulation and application of traditional lime mortars, developing an understanding of historical binders and their role in medieval masonry. Additionally, the training course 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. The course will emphasise the relevance of these principles in modern sustainability discourse, demonstrating how preserving and adapting traditional building techniques can contribute to contemporary heritage conservation and environmental strategies.
A feature of the programme will be the participants’ presentations, where attendees will share case studies from their home countries, focusing on experimental archaeology initiatives and projects engaged in the preservation and transmission of traditional construction techniques. These discussions will encourage intercultural knowledge exchange and provide a platform to reflect on the applicability of historical methods in modern conservation practices.
The training course presents a rare opportunity to contribute to an ongoing experimental archaeology project, expanding participants’ understanding of medieval craftsmanship, sustainable construction practices, and heritage conservation. Participants engaging in hands-on work, expert-led discussions, and comparative research will acquire specialised skills in historic construction while also developing a broader perspective on the enduring relevance of traditional building knowledge in contemporary conservation and sustainability efforts.
The training course will take place from August 3rd to August 16th, 2025, and is jointly organised by the Via Carolina – Golden Road Association and European Heritage Volunteers.
