Stadsmuseum Begijnhof

About the museum

The Sint-Alexiusbegijnhof of Dendermonde dates from 1288 and forms an oasis of calm in the city centre. The Stadsmuseum Begijnhof is housed in three old dwellings of the beguinage, and it also includes the Museum voor Volkskunde (Museum of Folk Culture). It shows everyday life from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: household, housing, work and leisure.

In 1983 the first part of the Museum voor Volkskunde opened in the remaining rooms of the house of the grand mistress (no. 25, Saint Begga). Later the museum was expanded over the upper floors and to the adjoining house no. 24 (Saint Barbara), the infirmary from 1709. The small beguine house no. 11 has been furnished with original furniture and shows what the bedroom, kitchen and vaulted room of a beguine looked like, and how she filled her days.

Several sections have been given a makeover. They include café Santé, a reconstructed old inn with café games and regional beers from Dendermonde; the section “van graan tot brood” (from grain to bread), with the centuries-old custom of decorating festive breads with a patacon; and the horse room with its many wijkpaarden. Around the museum lies an ornamental garden with a small orchard and a herb garden, as every beguine house once had its own vegetable and herb plot.

Highlights

• Beguine house no. 11 with original furniture
• Museum voor Volkskunde on everyday life around 1900
• Café Santé, a reconstructed inn with café games and regional beers
• Art heritage of the beguinage in the house of the grand mistress
• Ornamental garden, herb garden and small orchard
• Free audio guide with a separate children's tour

Permanent exhibitions

• Museum voor Volkskunde: het dagelijks leven rond 1900 – Across three floors the museum shows household, housing, work and leisure from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with café Santé, the section “van graan tot brood” and the horse room, among others.
• Begijnenhuisje nr. 11 – A small beguine house with its original furniture shows the bedroom, kitchen and vaulted room of a beguine.
• Kunstpatrimonium van het begijnhof – The art heritage of the beguinage is shown in the house of the grand mistress (no. 25).

Founded

1983

Operated by

Stad Dendermonde

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to all locations of the Stadsmuseum Dendermonde is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 museums are housed in old buildings with stairs and have no lift. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance and guide dogs. According to Toerisme Vlaanderen, the beguinage itself is accessible with help, but the Begijnhofmuseum and the Museum voor Volkskunde are not accessible to people with motor impairments.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children aged 8 to 12 can follow their own audio tour with an activity booklet, in which the character Juliette guides them through the museum. Admission is free. Mind the stairs and the lack of a lift if you come with a pushchair.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit