Erfgoedsite Ename

About the museum

From 1998 to 2023 the Provinciaal Archeologisch Museum Ename (pam) was housed in Huis Beernaert on the Lijnwaadmarkt. The museum told the thousand-year history of the region in an interactive way, with the collection, virtual reality and stories from local residents. Over time the building became too small.

The large, modern building at Lotharingenstraat 1, next to the Archeopark, opened in 2012 under the name Erfgoedcentrum. In 2024 the pam moved there and continued as Erfgoedsite Ename, with a new permanent exhibition. It offers a look at and behind the scenes of the heritage region of East Flanders: experts share new scientific insights, key objects tell their stories, and visitors look over the shoulders of archaeologists and into the heritage depot.

The Archeopark next to the building is a protected monument. Here you can see the excavated foundations of the Benedictine abbey that dominated life in Ename from 1063 to 1795, on a site where a powerful castle with a trading settlement already stood around the year 1000. The recognised heritage depot holds the finds from Ename and archaeological material from the north of East Flanders. Highlights include the Romanesque ivory crosier of Ename, dating from around 1175, and the oldest complete skull in Flanders. Erfgoedsite Ename is a provincial heritage site of the Province of East Flanders.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on Ename and the heritage of East Flanders, with a look behind the scenes of archaeologists and the depot
• Key objects: the ivory crosier of Ename (around 1175) and the oldest skull in Flanders
• Archeopark next to the building with the excavated remains of the abbey (free to walk around)
• Family trail “Dossier EN.am.X” for children from about 5 years old
• Heritage café with terrace and heritage shop

Permanent exhibitions

• Vaste tentoonstelling Erfgoedsite Ename – A look at and behind the scenes of the heritage region of East Flanders, with key objects, a timeline, the story of Ename and a glimpse into the heritage depot.
• Archeopark Ename – A protected open-air archaeological site with the excavated foundations of the Benedictine abbey of Ename, free to walk around with information boards.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission during events such as the Archaeology Days and Open Monument Day.

Schools, teachers, press, ICOM/ICOMOS members, provincial staff and museum pass holders also enter free. The ticket gives access to the permanent and temporary exhibitions. With a paid ticket you receive a free ticket for one of the other provincial heritage sites within the year: Archeocentrum Velzeke, Mola Molencentrum or Scheepswerven Baasrode. Tickets can be reserved online or by phone but reservation is not required; you can pay with Bancontact.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: not available

The heritage site is wheelchair-accessible both inside and outside. Opposite the building there are two accessible parking spaces, and the accessible toilet is between the reception desk and the heritage café. Stools are available for visitors who want to sit during their visit. Guide dogs are allowed. The exhibition has audio fragments with transcripts for hard-of-hearing and deaf visitors, but there is no audio description. The site is autism-friendly: there is a step-by-step guide and a quiet room, and free earplugs and a sensory backpack are available at the desk. Groups can ask for an autism-friendly guide.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The family trail “Dossier EN.am.X” for children from about 5 years old runs partly indoors and partly outdoors in the Archeopark. No reservation is needed; you pick up a folder per child at the desk. For children from about 10 years old there is a free outdoor treasure hunt of 2 km (wheelchair-accessible) or 3 km. In the summer holidays there are extra family activities. The site is accessible with a pushchair; there is a baby changing table and a microwave, and you may eat your own picnic in the heritage café.

Getting there & parking

The building is next to the Archeopark. By car, take the E17 (exit 8 De Pinte/Zevergem, then the N60 and N441 to the N46) or the E40 (exit 17 Wetteren, then the N42, N415 and the N46) to the heritage site. There is no charging point for electric bikes nearby; the nearest is at the market in Oudenaarde.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The heritage café has a terrace with a view of the water, the orchard and the abbey ruins; you may eat your own picnic there if you buy a drink. The heritage shop is freely accessible during opening hours and sells toys, regional products, books and museum passes, among other things. Wi-Fi is available in the rooms for hire.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Available for hire for meetings, study days, lectures and networking moments: the panorama hall (up to 100 people), the multipurpose room, the small auditorium and the heritage café (up to 80 people). You arrange the catering yourself; coffee, tea and water can be ordered through the heritage site.

Plan your visit