Museum Slag der Zilveren Helmen

About the museum

The museum in Rotem, a hamlet of Halen, commemorates the Slag der Zilveren Helmen (Battle of the Silver Helmets) of 12 August 1914. It was the last major battle between cavalry divisions, and the only Belgian victory in the First World War over German troops without help from the Allies. The name comes from the shining helmets found on the battlefield after the fight. The priest and poet A. Cuppens wrote a ballad about it.

The museum covers 450 m². A 30 m² model shows how the battle unfolded. The collection consists of weapons, uniforms, photographs, paintings and other objects about the battle, including some of the silver helmets themselves. The museum is run by a vzw (non-profit association).

In the nearby Helmenpark stand 44 concrete helmets. Each Limburg municipality had one reworked into a unique work of art with a local story from the First World War. The museum also organises historical walks and commemorates the battle every year on the second weekend of August.

Highlights

• 30 m² model of how the battle unfolded
• Weapons, uniforms, photographs and paintings from 1914
• Helmenpark with 44 concrete helmets, each artistically reworked
• Historical walks across the battlefield
• Annual commemoration weekend in August

Permanent exhibitions

• De Slag der Zilveren Helmen – A 30 m² model shows how the battle of 12 August 1914 unfolded, supplemented with weapons, uniforms, photographs and paintings.
• Helmenpark met 44 stalen helmen – Forty-four Limburg municipalities each reworked a concrete helmet into a work of art with a local story from the First World War.

Operated by

Museum Slag der Zilveren Helmen vzw

Admission & discounts

A coach tour of the battlefield with your own bus, including museum and guide, costs €100 for the guide, plus €8.50 per person for admission and tasting (about 2.5 hours extra).

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 museum is on the ground floor and accessible to wheelchair users. There are seats.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car, take exit 25 on the E314 (Genk–Leuven) towards Halen and follow the N2. Turn right towards Halen centre and follow the brown signs “Museum 1914” for about 3 km. The museum is at cycle node 355, the Helmenpark at node 351. For coaches, the guide can get on at the Markt in Halen.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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