Carnavalmuseum
Museum in Maasmechelen on the history of carnival in the Maaskant, with costumes, photographs, posters and carnival paraphernalia.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Carnavalmuseum in Maasmechelen is the first carnival museum in Flanders. The idea came from a member of the carnival society KC De Zavelzekskes, who wanted to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of this folk custom for the future. The museum tells the history of carnival in the Maaskant and gives considerable attention to carnival in Maasmechelen itself.
The museum opened in 2000 in an annex of the monastery on the Deken Bernardstraat. Because of the masterplan for beautifying the centre of Mechelen-aan-de-Maas, it had to move after six years. On Easter Monday, 17 April 2006, it reopened on the Opperveldstraat, but that location was also temporary: due to the dilapidated state of the rear building, the museum was closed for about a year. On 13 November 2011 it reopened at its current location, Deken Bernardstraat 7a, close to the church square. The museum was set up in cooperation with the municipal government of Maasmechelen, the heritage cell Mijn-erfgoed and the tourist department.
Highlights
- History of carnival in the Maaskant
- Carnival costumes
- Photographs, posters and images
- Carnival paraphernalia from Maasmechelen
- Zavelzekskes shop in the museum
Permanent exhibition
- Carnaval aan de Maaskant – Display of props, photographs, posters, images and costumes on the history of carnival in the Maaskant and in Maasmechelen.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- KC De Zavelzekskes in samenwerking met de gemeente Maasmechelen
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Book a guide in advance. |
|---|
Admission is free. Guided tours are free for school groups and carnival societies.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum has the Zavelzekskes shop, which sells, among other things, a carnival liqueur, an anniversary book and DVDs with carnival footage.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours are possible by appointment, through the tourist office of Maasmechelen (Zetellaan 35) or through the museum's curator. |
