Protestants Museum de Geuzenhoek

About the museum

Since the Reformation, Protestants, the so-called Geuzen (Beggars), have lived in the area around Horebeke. They were occasionally persecuted fiercely, but they survived. As they gained more freedom of movement, they were able to build a church with a churchyard and a parsonage in the Geuzenhoek, the 'Flemish Mount of Olives'.

From 1815 the children of the Geuzen received their own primary education, first in the homes of the Protestants themselves and from 1820 in a proper school building with a dwelling for the teacher. In that building the later popular writer Abraham Hans was born in 1882, the son of teacher Bastiaan Hans. In 1982 the school closed due to a lack of pupils.

Commemorations of the birth and death of Abraham Hans in 1982 and 1989 led to exhibitions, and this gave rise to the idea of a museum. In 1989 the Protestants Historisch Museum Abraham Hans opened in the former Protestant primary school. The building was thoroughly renovated in 2019. At the reopening on 13 April 2019, a statue of Abraham Hans was unveiled and the museum received its current name. Alongside the story of the Geuzenhoek, there is attention for the old little school and an exhibition space on the life and work of Abraham Hans.

Highlights

• Story of the Geuzenhoek, the oldest Protestant community in Flanders, from the sixteenth century
• Collection of historical Bibles and books on Protestantism in the Low Countries
• Former Protestant school (1815–1982) with teaching materials
• Exhibition space on the popular writer Abraham Hans with his complete works
• Optional guided tour past the Oude Kerk, the Nieuwe Kerk and the churchyard

Permanent exhibitions

• De Geuzenhoek en het schooltje – The story of the Protestants of the Geuzenhoek from the sixteenth century, with historical Bibles, documents and photographs, and the former Protestant school.
• Abraham Hans – Exhibition space on the life and work of the popular writer Abraham Hans (1882–1939), with a complete collection of his works.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Protestantse Kerk in de Geuzenhoek (VPKB Horebeke)

Admission & discounts

Admission to the museum is currently €3 per person. After a guided tour you can have coffee and cake for €7 per person.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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 has parking for people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Set your navigation to Korsele 39, 9667 Horebeke (Protestant church). The museum is about a 100-metre walk from the church, in a side street diagonally opposite.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum sells books and other items, including second-hand books by Abraham Hans.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit