ACAM Mineralogisch Museum
Mineralogical museum in Merksem with minerals, fossils, gemstones, a treasure room and the largest fluorescence showcase in Europe; free on Saturdays.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Academie voor Mineralogie (Academy of Mineralogy) was founded on 22 March 1970 by three members of the society Gloria Maris with a strong interest in mineralogy. After various moves, including to the Riddershoeve, the castle of Schoten and the Seamen's Club on the Italiëlei, the society settled permanently in 2003 on the Frans de l'Arbrelaan in Merksem. After fifty years it may call itself a royal association.
In its own club room is a museum built on three pillars: mineralogy, gemmology and palaeontology. Visitors find minerals, a chronologically arranged fossil collection, gemstones, a treasure room, the largest fluorescence showcase in Europe and a corner about diamond cutting. A showcase on crystalline and amorphous materials, gemstones and synthetic crystals explains how these substances form and what they are used for.
Alongside the museum the association has an extensive library, a cutting cellar where members can saw, grind and polish stones, and a place to prepare fossils. It organises collecting trips, lectures and short courses, and offers a two-year course in gemmology. Every year the IMRA and INTERGEM fairs also take place. The whole association runs on volunteers.
Highlights
- Largest fluorescence showcase in Europe
- Treasure room with gemstones
- Chronologically arranged fossil collection
- Minerals and gemstones from pigment to laser crystal
- Free admission on Saturday afternoons, with explanations from passionate volunteers
Permanent exhibition
- Museum met mineralen, fossielen en edelstenen – The permanent display shows minerals, a chronologically arranged fossil collection, gemstones, a treasure room and the largest fluorescence showcase in Europe.
- Operated by
- Koninklijke Academie voor Mineralogie vzw
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | €5 per personGuided tour for groups on a day other than Saturday: €5 per person, with a minimum of €50. |
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Admission on Saturdays is free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There is no lift in the building. People with physical disabilities therefore cannot view the full fossil collection, nor visit the library and the cutting cellar; the other sections and highlights of the museum are accessible. Please get in touch if you wish to consult a particular piece from the fossil collection or the library.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Gasthuishoeve
Take the train to Antwerpen-Centraal and then the premetro: tram 2 (towards Merksem) or tram 6 from Diamant station, or tram 3 (towards Merksem) from Astrid station. Get off at the Gasthuishoeve stop (trams 2, 3 and 6); the tram tracks run along the Frans de l'Arbrelaan. Other stops within walking distance are Burgemeester Nolf (trams 2 and 3, bus lines 600+) and Bredabaan (tram 6).
By car
Parking options near the museum are limited. Alternatives are the Park & Ride car parks around the city (including Ekeren, Merksem, Linkeroever and Wommelgem), close to a tram stop.
The museum is in the Merksem district, about 5 kilometres from Antwerp Cathedral. Coming by car is only advisable if you are travelling with people with physical disabilities; mind the low-emission zone in and around the city.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
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| Good to know | During opening hours there is almost always someone present who explains things, or who can give a guided tour on request. Groups visiting on a weekday can book a guided tour via info@acam.be or by phone. |
