Kortrijk 1302

About the museum

Kortrijk 1302 tells the story of the Battle of the Golden Spurs, the battle of 11 July 1302 in which Flemish city militias near Kortrijk defeated a French army of knights. The Kortrijk 1302 museum opened in 2007 in the former monastery of the Groeninge Abbey next to the Begijnhofpark. That physical museum closed its doors at the end of 2021.

Since 2022 the exhibition, in a renewed form, has been housed in the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady) on the Deken Zegerplein. The church was built between 1199 and 1211 on the initiative of Count Baldwin IX, in the middle of the comital castle, and has been protected since 1937. According to tradition, the spurs of French knights captured after the battle were hung up there. The church remains an active church: it has a dual function as a place of worship and an experience centre.

The visit consists of three storylines. An immersive presentation in the Gravenkapel (Count's Chapel) tells of the origin of the County of Flanders, with the medieval wall paintings of the counts of Flanders. An experience about the battle itself is supplemented by an experience table with VR viewers, scale models and objects, and the third storyline shows how the battle, the lion and the song De Vlaamse Leeuw (The Flemish Lion) grew into symbols of Flemish identity.

Highlights

• Immersive presentation in the Gravenkapel with medieval wall paintings
• Experience of the Battle of the Golden Spurs of 11 July 1302
• Experience table with VR viewers, scale models and touchscreens
• Storyline about symbols of identity around the Kist van Oxford
• Private guided tour with an ambassador

Permanent exhibition

• Kortrijk 1302 – belevingscentrum – An immersive exhibition in the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk about the County of Flanders, the Battle of the Golden Spurs and the symbols of Flemish identity.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Stad Kortrijk

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

A visit works on a pay-what-you-want basis. There are a maximum of 25 places per presentation, so book a time slot online in advance; you will receive the confirmation with a QR code by email, and you can change the reservation online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entire route is accessible to wheelchair users; all parts can be approached from below and viewed at every eye level. All spoken and audio elements are supported by text. For blind and visually impaired visitors, the story is built up almost like a film, with audio support and good contrast. On Monday mornings there is a low-stimulus visit moment (booking compulsory) with a preparatory brochure. There is no toilet in the church.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Younger visitors discover in a playful way how to become a knight, how soldiers were dressed and how large the count's family was. The interactive experience table works with VR viewers, scale models and touchscreens.

Getting there & parking

Cycle junction 53 is 50 metres from the church; there are bicycle racks. Coaches can drop off and pick up passengers at the Houtmarkt, one minute's walk away.

Amenities & dining

• Lockers: not available

There are no toilets and no lockers in the church; please keep your luggage to a minimum. Eating and drinking are not permitted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit