Musea Maaseik - Regionaal Archeologisch Museum en Apotheekmuseum

About the museum

The Regionaal Archeologisch Museum (RAM, Regional Archaeological Museum) and the Apotheekmuseum (Pharmacy Museum) are two museums that you visit through the same entrance on the Markt in Maaseik. Together with the Schatkamer van Sint-Catharina (Treasury of St Catherine) they form the Musea Maaseik, which have been recognised as a regional museum since 2004.

The Apotheekmuseum shows the oldest private pharmacy in Belgium. From 1704 to 1959, six generations practised the pharmacist’s trade here. The interior and the collection show how the profession evolved from the eighteenth to the first half of the twentieth century, with old counters, drawers of herbs, a poison cabinet, apothecary jars and pestles and mortars. The furniture was thoroughly restored in 2012. Behind the pharmacy lies a herb garden that was reconstructed on the basis of archaeological research into the cesspit. When the last pharmacist, Guillaume Van Venckenray, died in 1959, the town bought the building in 1961, and it became the core of a municipal museum.

The RAM, which opened in 1987, presents life in the region of the Maas and Bosbeek chronologically, from prehistory to the eighteenth century: from mammoth teeth to Roman urns and medieval glass. Most of the finds come from excavations by the Maaseik archaeological service since the 1980s. In the discovery cellar, children and adults can experience archaeology themselves with 22 hands-on activities.

Highlights

• Apotheekmuseum in the oldest private pharmacy in Belgium (1704-1959)
• Reconstructed herb garden behind the pharmacy
• Archaeological finds from prehistory to the 18th century
• Discovery cellar with 22 hands-on activities
• Virtual tours of both museums

Permanent exhibitions

• Regionaal Archeologisch Museum – Archaeological finds from the Maasland and the Bosbeek valley, from prehistory to the modern era, with a discovery cellar full of hands-on activities.
• Apotheekmuseum – The oldest private pharmacy in Belgium, with furniture and pharmacists’ equipment from the eighteenth to the first half of the twentieth century, and a reconstructed herb garden.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Stad Maaseik

Admission & discounts

The ticket gives access to the Regional Archaeological Museum, the discovery cellar, the Pharmacy Museum and the Treasury of St Catherine; it is therefore always a combination ticket. Tickets are only available at the counter at Markt 45. Free for residents of Maaseik, Neeroeteren and Opoeteren and for holders of the Belgian museum pass (museumPASSmusées), a teacher card or an ICOM membership. With the ticket you also get, once, half-price admission to five museums in the region (Museum Thorn, Maas Binnenvaartmuseum Maasbracht, Museum Maaseiland Stevensweert, Museum van de Vrouw Echt and Museum-Schatkamer ’t Stift Susteren).

Accessibility

• 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

The Apotheekmuseum and the Regional Archaeological Museum are accessible to wheelchair users via the herb garden (entrance gate at Lekkerstraat 5). For a smooth visit, please contact visit@maaseik.be or +32 89 81 92 90 in advance. The Treasury of St Catherine is in the crypt below ground level and is not accessible to wheelchairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

In the discovery cellar, children and adults experience archaeology with 22 hands-on activities, such as making an arrow, trying on a chain mail shirt or painting themselves with ochre. Children may only visit the discovery cellar with an adult. In autumn there are family tours and workshops.

Getting there & parking

The museums are in the historic centre of Maaseik; the Treasury of St Catherine is in the crypt of the St Catherine’s church, Grote Kerkstraat 15, within walking distance.

Amenities & dining

The permanent museum texts are only in Dutch; a museum guide in English, German or French is available at the counter. The museums do not have a dining hall for school groups.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit