Hands-on half-timbering: rediscovering traditional craftsmanship

How did people build in the past, and what can we learn from that today? The Vogtland Pioneers and the Gernewitz Heritage Centre invite you to come along, find out more and get involved. We’ll be bringing along part of the half-timbered barn that young people designed and built as part of the ‘Schüler.Handwerk3.0!’, in collaboration with the Jena-Göschwitz Vocational School and the project partners Denkmalhof Gernewitz and Bau-Consult Hermsdorf GmbH. The project was awarded a gold medal at the ‘denkmal 2026’ exhibition in Leipzig.

Here’swhat you can experience:

Help build the section of the half-timbered barn and learn, for example, what hook-and-corner joints are.

• Try your hand at working the way people used to. Have a go at making wooden nails.
• See how traditional craftsmanship, digital technologies and sustainable building come together.
• Come and have a chat with us and find out how you can get involved in heritage conservation yourself.
• Find out about our current seminar programme.

About us:
The Vogtland Pioneers are a network comprising research institutions, businesses, craftspeople and regional stakeholders. Since 2019, they have been preserving and revitalising the region’s architectural heritage. The network was initiated by the research institute Innovent in Jena. The Gernewitz Heritage Centre and Bau-Consult Hermsdorf GmbH are network partners.

Also: Stamp rally in Göschwitz

If you visit at least 5 of the 14 participating institutions and businesses and collect a stamp from each one, you’ll receive a small gift at the end of the discovery tour – including from us!

Please note:

• Participation is voluntary and free of charge.
• The small gift is available only on 20 November 2026 upon presentation of the stamp card with at least 5 stamps (whilst stocks last).
• No cash alternative available.

We’re putting Göschwitz in the spotlight!