Can one learn to forge in two days?! Yes, one can (my man, in any case)! “Look! Dad made a candlestick for the patio!” says Liam, our three-year-old son, with pride in his voice. Sooty, sweaty, yet happy – that’s what my husband Georg feels like at the end of his two-day creative crafts course, learning how to forge at the Gerersdorf open-air museum near Güssing.
Georg, after two days of forging his own candlestick: Sweaty, but proud!
Since Georg and I have welcomed our second son Levin only a few months prior, we decided to spend Georg’s creative course in southern Burgenland as a creative vacation with at least one grandparent to support us. After all, there is so much to discover near the town of Güssing, even or especially with children – including Güssing Castle itself, Friedensburg Schlaining Peace Castle, and of course the Gerersdorf open-air museum as a venue for creative courses and leisure activities.
With granddad in tow: Checking out the venue for the forgery at the open-air museum Gerersdorf.
Open-air museum ensemble Gerersdorf: A place for creativity, old craftsmanship and typical farmhouses in southern Burgenland.
For almost ten years now, I have been travelling to the charming open-air museum Gerersdorf. The atmosphere of the 32 historic, thatched residential and farm buildings is unique. Don’t miss out on a guided tour during your next visit! As a creative traveller, I recommend you to participate in one of the numerous creative courses, including the two-day blacksmithing course in the open-air museum.
Arriving at the open-air museum Gerersdorf: “Strahlen Sie mit der Sonne um die Wette!”
A place for families …
… craftsmanship …
… and the joy of learning how to forge hot iron for making your own unique souvenirs, in this case!
Out and about in Güssing: Having dinner at Rina’s restaurant and visiting Güssing Castle.
My husband Georg and I already wanted to go to Rina’s when we went glamping in southern Burgenland three years ago (glamping with our then three-month-old son Liam, by the way – you can read more about that here).
Again this time, we were recommended to have dinner in the friendly family restaurant Rina’s. This time round, we tried local “Güssing shrimps” as a speciality. But – shrimps raised at close range in landlocked Austria – is that even possible? Well, yes!
Check out Rina’s restaurant …
… for trying the local Güssing speciality, home-raised shrimps from nearby hot-water pools!
You may also try the restaurant at Güssing Castle for having typical local lunch specialities …
… as well as check out the castle itself.
If you are travelling with young children, best bring a baby carrier or sling as the castle is not accessible with strollers. A visit is definitely worth it!
My tip: Try visiting the Friedensburg Schlaining Peace Castle (with great cake + coffee).
A good half hour from Güssing, you will find the Friedensburg Schlaining Peace Castle. It is known as a European center for peace, international understanding and the eventful history of Burgenland: Families of the most diverse origins also lived here for many generations.
Today, the carefully restored castle complex houses an interesting exhibition called “100 Years of Burgenland”. I highly recommend it to you. Carrying little Levin in my baby sling, I could actually take the time to study it in detail. Worth seeing!
Visiting Schlaining Castle in southern Burgenland …
… I can recommend its bilingual exhibition on the occasion of “100 Years of Burgenland” …
… as well as taking time in the castle courtyard for some coffee and cake.
And you? Fancy visiting southern Burgenland? See you there 🙂