Musée historique de la Principauté de Stavelot-Malmedy

About the museum

For more than a millennium, from the founding of the abbey by Saint Remacle until the French Revolution, the abbey principality of Stavelot-Malmedy exerted economic, political, religious and artistic influence over a vast territory that extended well beyond present-day Belgium. The museum tells the story of this Ancien Régime state in the buildings of the former abbey of Stavelot.

The route combines iconography, early music, objects and works of art, presented with recent multimedia techniques. One area is devoted to Wibald, Abbot of the Empire, and to the golden age of the abbey in the 12th century.

Next to the museum, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of the 11th-century abbey church, which are listed among the exceptional heritage sites of Wallonia. A 3D reconstruction allows you to enter it virtually; you can then walk through the ruins, from the tower to the transept, and from the nave to the choir and crypt. They also house a permanent exhibition of works by the sculptor Serge Gangolf, from Verviers.

The museum is one of the three museums of the abbey, run by the asbl Espaces Tourisme & Culture, together with the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps museum and the Guillaume Apollinaire museum.

Highlights

• Millennium-long history of the abbey principality of Stavelot-Malmedy
• Multimedia route with objects, works of art and early music
• Remains of the 11th-century abbey church and a 3D virtual visit
• Permanent exhibition of sculptures by Serge Gangolf among the ruins
• Area devoted to Abbot Wibald and the 12th century

Permanent exhibitions

• Musée historique de la Principauté de Stavelot-Malmedy – Multimedia route through the history of the abbey principality, from the abbey’s foundation to the French Revolution, with an area devoted to Abbot Wibald.
• Vestiges de l'église abbatiale et sculptures de Serge Gangolf – Visit to the ruins of the 11th-century abbey church, where monumental sculptures by Serge Gangolf are installed.

Operated by

Espaces Tourisme & Culture asbl (Abbaye de Stavelot)

Admission & discounts

The single “All-in” ticket gives free access to the three abbey museums (the Stavelot-Malmedy Principality museum, the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit museum and the Guillaume Apollinaire museum) and to the current temporary exhibition. Free with the museumPASSmusées.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

According to the abbey, the three museums are step-free, on one level. For levels -1 and +1, the lift measures 1.10 m deep and 87 cm wide; on request, staff operate the lift that serves the temporary exhibition on the second floor.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

By car: motorway E42 (Verviers–Prüm), exit 10 (Francorchamps) or 11 (Malmedy), then follow signs towards Stavelot; from Luxembourg, E25 exit 48 or 49, then follow signs towards Stavelot.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The Brasserie de l’Abbaye, with a terrace, also welcomes visitors without a museum ticket. The Boutique de l’Abbaye sells merchandise, local beers, souvenirs and games for children.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Spaces in the abbey are available for hire; see the “Location & meeting” page on the website.

Plan your visit