Smidse van Meeswijk
Protected village forge from 1810 in Meeswijk (Maasmechelen), with a working workshop and a collection of smithing tools.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The forge in Meeswijk has existed since 1810. Five generations of smiths practised their trade there; the last, Jan Gijsen, better known as Sjang de Smeed, ended the activity in 1990. The building dates from the late 18th or early 19th century and has been protected as a monument since 2002.
The protection covers not only the forge itself but also the travalje, the wooden frame in which horses were shod, the thatching fork used to pull the thatch off the roof in case of fire, the adjoining barn and stable, and the original equipment. The interior gives a good picture of a 19th-century forge that was fitted with some electric tools during the 20th century.
To prevent the forge from falling into disrepair, it was restored, as was the farrier's shed in front of the building. By 2008 the restoration was largely complete and the forge was opened to the public. It contains a working workshop and an exhibition of hundreds of pieces of smithing tools.
Highlights
- Protected 1810 forge with its original interior
- Working forge workshop
- Exhibition of hundreds of pieces of smithing tools
- Travalje and farrier's shed in front of the building
Permanent exhibition
- Smidse met werkend atelier – A working forge workshop and an exhibition of hundreds of pieces of smithing tools in the protected forge of Meeswijk.
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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