Museum PARCUM

About the museum

PARCUM was founded in 1997 as the Centrum voor Religieuze Kunst en Cultuur (CRKC, Centre for Religious Art and Culture) by the Flemish dioceses, the umbrella body of Flemish religious orders, the Vereniging van Vlaamse Norbertijnenabdijen (Association of Flemish Norbertine Abbeys) and KU Leuven. The organisation collects, manages and researches religious heritage, often from churches and monasteries elsewhere in Belgium that had to close their doors through secularisation. Since January 2020, CRKC and PARCUM have used one name.

In 2017 the renovated Museum PARCUM opened in the former presbytery of the abbey church of the Abbey of Park in Heverlee, a Norbertine abbey on the edge of Leuven. The museum presents the heritage of the abbey itself and organises exhibitions that connect religious heritage with art, culture and society. It is run jointly by PARCUM and the heritage site Abdij van Park.

Permanent highlights include the stucco ceilings by Jan Hansche in the refectory and the library, and the stained-glass windows by Jean de Caumont in the cloister walk. These 17th-century windows show 41 scenes from the life of Saint Norbert and are recognised as a Flemish Masterpiece (Vlaams Topstuk); they are one of the most extensive collections of 17th-century stained glass in the Low Countries that still hang in their original place. After fifteen years of restoration work the abbey site has been fully opened, and the museum opens on 24 October 2026 with the exhibition Verweven Landschappen: Kunst in Abdij van Park (Interwoven Landscapes: Art in the Abbey of Park).

Highlights

• 17th-century stained-glass windows by Jean de Caumont in the cloister walk, recognised as a Flemish Masterpiece
• Stucco ceilings by Jan Hansche in the refectory and the library
• Visitor route Hart van de abdij (Heart of the Abbey) with the monastery library and the abbot's residence
• Changing exhibitions on religious heritage, art and society
• Abbey grounds of Abdij van Park with church, ponds and walking paths

Permanent exhibition

• Hart van de abdij – The visitor route leads through the historic abbey rooms, with the stained-glass windows in the cloister walk, the stucco ceilings, the monastery library and the abbot's residence.

Founded

2017

Operated by

PARCUM vzw en Erfgoedsite Abdij van Park

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Opening weekend on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026: free admission.

Prices from 24 October 2026 (price indexation). Free admission also applies to holders of the ICOM card, the KU Leuven Cultuurkaart (culture card) or the MuseumPASS, to teachers, Leuven guides and the press with a valid press card. Anyone entering free must still book a ticket. Reserved tickets are not refunded; you can change a reservation at the reception. A visit to the museum is also possible with the ILUVLeuven combi ticket.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum entrance is accessible for wheelchair users and all floors can be reached by lift, except the monastery library and the abbot's residence. There are a few stairs there; visitors with limited mobility can view those rooms with a virtual reality headset, included in the ticket. There are level differences in the museum and the staff are happy to help. The abbey grounds have slopes and cobbles with flat concrete strips; the path around the ponds is wheelchair-friendly. There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet on level -1. Museum stools are available at the reception. Parking spaces for people with a disability are on the Norbertijnerweg (about 200 metres from the entrance) and at the car park on Geldenaaksebaan; anyone who comes alone can call for help with the slope.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

There are family routes such as Op speurtocht met Norrie (6 to 12 years) and Bert vertelt (8 to 12 years), and extra activities during the holidays. Pushchairs may not be taken into the rooms; for young children a baby carrier is recommended. On level -1 there is a changing mat and a quiet room for breastfeeding.

Getting there & parking

From the car park on Geldenaaksebaan it is about 300 metres to the Neerhof and 400 metres to the museum. By bike you can follow the cycle junction network; in Leuven you can hire bicycles.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Brasserie De Abdijmolen is located on the abbey grounds. The reception of Abdij van Park also has an abbey shop. Large bags and backpacks may not be taken into the museum; use the free lockers on level -2 or the cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit