Museum Vieille Montagne

About the museum

The Museum Vieille Montagne in Kelmis tells the story of calamine mining on the Altenberg, of zinc production by Vieille-Montagne and of the special case of Neutral Moresnet. This tiny area between Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium remained independent for 103 years and was at times even linked to the dream of Esperanto. The exhibition presents it as a smugglers' hideaway, a mining site and a political experiment.

The museum's roots lie in the Göhltal Museum. A cultural association founded in 1966 began building a local heritage collection from 1973; in 1984 the museum moved into a former industrialist's villa in Neu-Moresnet. Because the exhibition had to be renewed, the municipality of Kelmis bought the Vieille-Montagne building on the Lütticher Straße in 2014. After building work from 2016, the museum opened there under its new name on 14 September 2018. The architect was Ravi Eicher, and the permanent exhibition was created together with the Aachen office Zeitkontext.

The building stands on its authentic site. The director's building of the company's Moresnet agency was erected in 1910, is largely preserved in its original state and is a listed monument; particularly striking is the light-filled staircase in geometric Art Nouveau (Jugendstil). The neighbouring 19th-century reception building served as a railway office from 1871 to 1952. The museum is run by the autonomous municipal agency Galmei.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Von Altenberg bis Zink” over two floors, with audio guide
• Neutral Moresnet: smugglers' hideaway, mining site and Esperanto utopia
• Listed director's building from 1910 with an Art Nouveau staircase
• Mineral and mining themes, interactive activities for young and old
• Combined tour with the walk “Auf den Spuren der Zinkindustrie”

Permanent exhibition

• Von Altenberg bis Zink – The permanent exhibition leads over two floors through calamine mining, zinc production and mining, and presents Neutral Moresnet as a political and social special experiment; audio guides let historical figures speak.

Operated by

Autonome Gemeinderegie Galmei (Gemeinde Kelmis)

Admission & discounts

All prices include the audio guide. Free admission with MuseumPASSmusées, Carte Prof, Lerarenkaart, Passeport 365 and ICOM card; 20% discount with the Pass Province de Liège Tourisme.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum building, toilets and car park are suitable for wheelchairs and rollators; there is a lift and ten mobile seats that can also serve as walking aids. The outdoor area and the path around the Casino pond are not step-free. Assistance dogs are allowed; other animals are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The museum is interactive and designed for children; young visitors can take part in a trail game through the exhibition. Workshops for school classes and a family ticket complete the offer.

Getting there & parking

By car via the N3: exit 37bis Thimister-Clermont from the direction of Liège; exit 39 Eynatten from the direction of the Aachen junction.

Amenities & dining

• Lockers

Backpacks and large bags may not be taken into the exhibition; lockers are available. Food and drink are not allowed in the exhibition rooms.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit