Festraetsstudio
Astronomical clock by Kamiel Festraets at the Beguinage of Sint-Truiden: a mechanical life’s work of four tonnes with performances of 40 minutes.
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About the museum
In 1937 Kamiel Festraets began building an astronomical clock at the Beguinage of Sint-Truiden, which he claimed was the oldest tourist attraction in Limburg. Festraets was the son of a clockmaker and worked in his parents’ business from a young age, but also studied mathematics and mechanics. With one of his first clocks with astronomical additions, such as moon phases, he won a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Brussels in 1935.
He worked on his life’s work, the great astronomical clock, for more than 25 years. The device weighs about four tonnes, is six metres high and consists of more than 20,000 parts. It brings together elements from the history of timekeeping: hourglasses, a water clock, pendulums, a sundial and a Westminster chime. When the clock strikes, Death appears and a procession of medieval craftsmen passes by.
Festraets maintained the city’s tower clocks for many years, played the organ in the church and trained young people in the clockmaking trade. At the end of his life the city of Sint-Truiden bought the clock; since then it has been a tourist attraction.
Highlights
- Astronomical clock of four tonnes, six metres high, with more than 20,000 parts
- Performances of about 40 minutes
- Procession of medieval craftsmen when the clock strikes
- Hourglasses, water clock, sundial and Westminster chime in one device
- Operated by
- Stad Sint-Truiden
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
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| Reduced | €4People aged 65 and over, students (13–25 years) and groups of 15 or more without a guide |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Children up to and including 12: free. |
| Seniors | €4From 65 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companions of persons with a disability enter free on presentation of a companion card. |
| Students & apprentices | €4Students aged 13 to 25. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €4 per personGroups of 15 or more people without a guide pay €4 per person. |
| Families | –Family pass: 20% discount on the total amount for single-parent and two-parent families. |
| Trudopas (5 locations, valid for 2 consecutive days) | €9€7 for people aged 65 and over, students (13–25 years) and groups of 15 or more people. |
| Reduced rate (UiTPAS kansentarief, Iedereen Verdient Vakantie) | €1Per person per location; on presentation of valid proof. |
Free admission: On 1 May and 23 November the Trudopas is free
You visit the Festraetsstudio with a Trudopas or with a ticket for one location (€5). Free admission also applies to holders of the Lerarenkaart Klasse, press-card holders, members of the Koninklijke Gidsenbond, holders of the KAM passport and schools from Sint-Truiden.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | You gain access with an access code from the Trudopas, which you collect from Toerisme Sint-Truiden on the Grote Markt during their opening hours (Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00–16:00). On Sundays and public holidays you can buy a code at the Beguinage Church after 13:00. A performance lasts about 40 minutes. |
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