Het Toreke

About the museum

Het Toreke is a building from 1848 on the Grote Markt in Tienen. Architect François Drossaert, who also designed the Tienen town hall, drew it as a city prison. For the construction, materials from the demolished 18th-century Gevangenispoort (Prison Gate) were reused, such as sixteen oak doors and parts of the iron grilles. The cells were on the upper floor and could only be reached by a narrow spiral staircase; men and women were strictly separated.

After 1862 the building served only as a transit prison, and later as a place where drunkards could spend the night. Until 1972 the Tienen police used it together with the adjoining corps de garde. Since 1973 the façades and roofs have been protected as a monument; in 1978 architect Jacques Piron restored the building, and since then Het Toreke has been the municipal museum of Tienen.

The permanent exhibition Doodgewoon shows the finds from the Gallo-Roman site at the Grijpenveld, the largest archaeological site in the Benelux. A life-size reconstruction of the burial chamber of the Grijpen tumulus grave and the finds from a Mithras temple are the highlights. The museum also tells the history of the Hageland, with emphasis on the period from the 16th to the 20th century, and the former cells host temporary exhibitions. The city is working on a new heritage depot and a renewed city museum; the relocation of the collection is to be completed by 2030, while Het Toreke remains open.

Highlights

• Gallo-Roman treasures from the Grijpenveld, the largest archaeological site in the Benelux
• Life-size reconstruction of the burial chamber of the Grijpen tumulus grave
• Finds from a Mithras temple
• Former city prison of 1848 with cells on the upper floor
• History of the Hageland from the 16th to the 20th century

Permanent exhibition

• Doodgewoon – In two parts, Rituals of death and Rituals of life, the permanent exhibition shows the Gallo-Roman finds from the Grijpenveld, with a burial chamber reconstruction and finds from a Mithras temple.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Stad Tienen

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Residents of Tienen enter free on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Basic rate €4 per person. Book a guided tour through the tourist office.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Het Toreke is accessible to wheelchair users by a stairlift, except for the cells where the temporary exhibitions take place.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

By car, take exit 25 Tienen/Hoegaarden on the E40. There is a bicycle pump on the Grote Markt.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Tickets and museum products are on sale at the Streekshop of the tourist information office at Grote Markt 4, next to the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit