New interactive farm opens at Chemnitz Zoo

Chemnitz Zoo is opening a new interactive and educational area: the ‘Farm Experience 1883’ has been open to all visitors since 9 am on Tuesday 30 June.

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A new interactive farm has been built on the site of the former cattle market over a construction period of around one and a half years. Spanning more than 6,000 square metres, the site combines history, agriculture, animal husbandry and species conservation. At its heart is a three-sided farmyard with a barn and two stables.

At the ‘Bauernhoferlebnis 1883’, visitors gain an insight into the lives and work of the region’s farming community more than 100 years ago. Historical breeds of farm animals, agricultural tools and an accompanying exhibition bring to life how farming used to work and the significance that old breeds of domestic animals still hold today.

Animals kept on the new farm include Vogtland Red Cattle, Sattelschweine pigs, Skudden sheep and Erzgebirge goats. In doing so, Chemnitz Zoo is reinforcing its commitment to the conservation of old, historically and genetically valuable regional domestic animal breeds. These breeds form part of our cultural heritage and contribute to the preservation of genetic diversity. Thanks to their hardiness and adaptability, they can also play an important role in sustainable agriculture.

“The new enclosure is definitely not just another petting zoo,” emphasised Thomas Paarmann, Chairman of the Board of Tierparkfreunde Chemnitz, at the opening. The aim, he said, is to preserve the genetic pool of valuable historical domestic animal breeds and to show visitors how agriculture works.

There were also particular challenges during the construction phase – for both people and animals. At the opening, zoo director Silke Weiser reported, amongst other things, on mini pigs that had discovered they could jump over the fence.

The “Farm Experience 1883” is a joint project between Chemnitz Zoo and the Friends of Chemnitz Zoo Association (Tierparkfreunde Chemnitz e. V.). The new interactive farm was funded by PMO grants from the Saxon State Parliament and numerous donations totalling around 700,000 euros.

Opening hours: April to September

Chemnitz Zoo: daily from 9 am to 7 pm
Oberrabenstein Wildlife Enclosure: daily from 9 am to 6 pm

Last admission and ticket office closing times are one hour before closing time.