Museum den AST

About the museum

The museum is housed in the former Van Roye malthouse. In a malthouse, barley grains are germinated and dried; malt is a basic ingredient of beer, and Halle had a long tradition as a beer town with many malthouses. The Van Roye malthouse was the last to close its doors, in 1984.

The complex was formerly surrounded by four streets; most of the buildings were demolished in the early 1990s. The oldest part was protected as a monument in 1993 and was therefore preserved. The city of Halle bought the building and had it thoroughly restored between 2011 and 2014. In 2015 a new museum and archive building opened, within walking distance of the historic and tourist centre.

A stone's throw from the Grote Markt, den AST houses the museum and the city archive of Halle. The museum immerses visitors in the malting process with an experience route, and brings the heyday of the malthouses back to life with testimonies. It also shows the city's history and changing exhibitions on local traditions such as pilgrimages, carnival and the folklore surrounding Reus Vaantjesboer. In the future the museum will get a new home in the historic town hall, and it will temporarily close its doors for this after 20 December 2026.

Highlights

• Experience route on the malting process in the former Van Roye malthouse
• Testimonies about the heyday of Halle's malthouses
• Exhibition on the history of Halle, with a timeline and archaeological finds
• Stories about Halle's traditions: pilgrimage, carnival and Reus Vaantjesboer
• Family museum games and a digital route with the ErfgoedApp

Permanent exhibitions

• Belevingsparcours mouterij Van Roye – The route introduces you to the malting process and, through testimonies, brings back to life the heyday of Halle's malthouses.
• Stadsgeschiedenis van Halle – A timeline, archaeological finds and objects illustrate the city's rich past.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Stad Halle

Admission & discounts

Free for children under 12 and for holders of a museumPASS, teacher card, EDC card (European Disability Card), press card or ICOM card. Holders of a museumPASS receive a €4 discount on group visits.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

The museum is housed in a historic building that is not fully accessible for people with physical disabilities. Circulation is by stairs, so the upper floors are difficult or impossible to reach for wheelchair users. At the end of the route there is a passenger lift down. Opposite the building (the Meiboom) is a parking space for people with reduced mobility. Staff are happy to help; you can announce your visit in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

For families there is the Porseleinfabriek (paint a cup yourself), a mouse hunt with museum cat Minou (ages 5+), the BINGO mystery (ages 8+) and a digital route with the ErfgoedApp (ages 10+).

Getting there & parking

The museum is within walking distance of Halle's historic and tourist centre, a stone's throw from the Grote Markt.

Amenities & 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