Museum Torhouts Aardewerk

About the museum

The museum is housed on the first floor of Ravenhof Castle, a moated small castle within walking distance of the Markt in Torhout, in the middle of an English landscape garden. The site has been known since the 14th century; the present building largely dates from a rebuilding in 1880-1885. After years of decay, the city of Torhout bought the estate in 1989. After a renovation in 1993-1994, the ground floor was given a tourist information desk and the upper floor the museum.

Torhout is the historic centre of a distinctive pottery production. From the 18th century, art potters worked here and laid the foundations for a decorative earthenware production that was later taken over and copied throughout Flanders. The decoration initially consisted mainly of applied relief work (oplegwerk); this folk art reached its peak in the Art Nouveau period. The pottery was also exported to England and North America.

In the museum you can see the finest examples from different style periods and production centres. In the attic, the city stores thousands of other pieces. The castle also houses the Stedelijke Gildekamer (Municipal Guild Room) with the honorary plates of the Saint Sebastian guild.

Highlights

• Multicoloured decorative earthenware from Torhout, 18th to 20th century
• Works from the Art Nouveau period
• Ravenhof Castle in an English landscape garden
• Municipal Guild Room with the honorary plates of the Saint Sebastian guild
• Thousands of extra pieces in the storage room in the attic

Permanent exhibitions

• Torhouts sieraardewerk – The finest examples of multicoloured decorated art pottery from different style periods and production centres, with a high point in Art Nouveau.
• Stedelijke Gildekamer – Room in the castle with the centuries-old honorary plates of the Saint Sebastian crossbow guild.

Operated by

Stad Torhout

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

Toegankelijk Vlaanderen (Accessible Flanders) has screened the museum; the findings are on the Accessibility page of Visit Torhout.

Kids & families

The Tor'Oud experience exhibition in the castle is designed for children aged 6 and up, families and primary school classes.

Getting there & parking

The castle is within walking distance of the Markt in Torhout.

Amenities & dining

There is a tourist information desk on the ground floor of the castle.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit