Museum De Mindere

About the museum

Museum De Mindere is located in Sint-Truiden, next to the former Minderbroedersklooster (Friars Minor monastery), and preserves Franciscan heritage from Flanders and Brussels. In 1988 the vzw Museum Vlaamse Minderbroeders was founded out of concern for preserving the cultural and historical heritage of the friars minor. From 1991 a curator and a reception officer worked in the museum, and from 1994 the museum had painted statues and other artworks restored every year. After a thorough renovation and new construction, the renovated museum officially opened its doors in November 1998; in 1999 it was recognised at regional level.

In the years that followed, the collection grew considerably, as many monasteries were dissolved in a short space of time. Extra storage space was created, the registration of the collection was automated, and the museum developed educational offers for schools, children and families. It also collected testimonies from friars minor about the recent history of their order. In 2011 the museum received its current public name De Mindere, with a new house style.

The collection numbers more than 14,000 objects from closed Franciscan monasteries. Some of them are genuine art, such as wood carvings and goldsmith’s work. The museum also preserves devotional objects and objects from the everyday life of monks. Some highlights are on the list of movable cultural heritage of the Flemish Community. The presentation tells the story of Francis of Assisi and his followers and invites visitors to reflect on simplicity, solidarity and care for nature.

Highlights

• Straw-work altar made by the Capuchin nuns of Antwerp
• Sixteenth-century statue of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows
• Cross with a relic of the Holy Cross, from Ghent
• Bowl from which Francis is said to have drunk, according to tradition
• The story of Francis of Assisi and the friars minor on the first floor

Permanent exhibitions

• Franciscus inspireert – On the first floor the museum tells the life of Francis of Assisi and shows what his ideas about simplicity, peace and care for nature still mean today.
• Topstukken van het museum – Some highlights from the collection, such as the straw-work altar of the Antwerp Capuchin nuns and a sixteenth-century statue of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, are on the list of movable cultural heritage of the Flemish Community.

Founded

1988

Operated by

vzw Museum Vlaamse Minderbroeders

Director

Jo Santy

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; the museum asks for a voluntary contribution, in cash or cashless, before or after the visit. The museum is affiliated with UiTPAS. Holders of the museum pass are asked to register their visit; the museum pass can be bought or renewed at the museum.

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

According to the website, the museum is fully accessible to people with limited mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum describes itself as a day out for the whole family. During school holidays there are creative workshops for families and children, and the website has a separate children’s page about Francis and his followers.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit