The Fortified Church Museum in Mönchsondheim is a unique outdoor museum. The Fortified Church and surrounding buildings that are part of the museum, are still in their original location: In the middle of the village of Mönchsondheim. Since the museum opened in 1981, visitors have been able to immerse themselves into was life was like in this Franconian village, from the past to the present. A stroll through Mönchsondheim exposes visitors to the work of current-day farmers or how kids play on the village square today. The villagers support the museum with a variety of events and initiatives.
Discover Historical Buildings
Stroll through 500 years of history as you visit the fortified church and Parish church, the town hall from 1557, including a community bakery and post office, the inn “Zum Schwarzen Adler” from 1790 and its bowling alley, the Hahn farmstead from 1700, the village school from 1927, plus many other outbuildings, as well as the milk collection station from the 1950s.
New Permanent Exhibits on the History of Winegrowing Inside the Fortified Church
The Fortified Church, on the Register of Historical Places, was renovated from 2013 to 2015. It now houses an exciting and informative permanent exhibit that includes modern media and hands-on displays. The themes explored are “The Mainfranken Village,” “Village Trades,” “Franconian Winegrowing,” and, of course, “Fortified Churches.”
The “Franconian Winegrowing” section includes information and curios that help explore the history and development of wine cultivation in the region. Of special interest is the collection of wine presses, starting with the hand-crafted ”Dockenkelter” from 1763 to the industrially manufactured “Korbkelter” from around 1900. Other areas of special interest include wine-making, the cultural traditions of the winegrowers, as well as the cultivation of grapes in the vineyards.
Guided Tours and Active Programs
Visitors get immersed into history by participating in guided tours and active events. The museum offers special programs for pre-school groups, school groups, as well as other child and youth groups. Special programming for adults includes the ever popular reenactment of a historical school session.
Event Highlights
A variety of events invite visitors to experience the Fortified Church in a different way. A Children’s Day in May features theater performances and hands-on activities for the youngest visitors. In June, the museum sponsors a Lower Franconia Folk Music Day with a selection of old folk songs, historical dances, - all in Franconian dialect. The Kirchenburg Fest in July is the most popular event at the museum. Visitors get to watch broom makers, basket weavers, carpenters and many other craftsmen and –women. Adults and children are encouraged to try the techniques firsthand or to visit the Medieval Village or the petting zoo. In early October, the museum sponsors a Fall Wine Pressing Festival. Visitors experience how flails were used for threshing, how “Bock” beer is made, or how sauerkraut was stomped traditionally. The reward is freshly pressed apple and grape juice, or freshly made buttermilk direct from the butter barrel.