Stroopfabriek

About the museum

In 1879 the Wynants family bought land on the Stationsstraat in Borgloon and established a syrup factory there. Syrup boiling then evolved from domestic craft into an industrial activity, partly thanks to steam power. In the first half of the twentieth century Borgloon was the centre of syrup production, a natural consequence of the flourishing high-stem fruit growing in the region; as a result, the inhabitants were nicknamed strooplekkers (syrup lickers).

From 1960 onwards many syrup boiling houses struggled, because demand for syrup declined. By the late 1970s only the Wynants factory remained, and in 1988 boiling there was also stopped. Part of the factory, with its technical installations, was protected as a monument in 1999.

In 2005 the Borgloon city council bought the factory to prevent further decay and signed an agreement with the Bleus brothers to boil craft syrup there again. The factory won the TV contest Monumentenstrijd on Canvas in 2006-2007. In February 2017 the major restoration began, after which the restored syrup factory and the fruit experience centre opened to visitors. The former Fruitstreekmuseum was integrated into the experience centre.

The route passes the preserved presses, boiling kettles, centrifuges and the Kestner installation, and runs through an exhibition space about soil, climate, fruit trees, the orchard, the auction and the processing of fruit into regional products.

Highlights

• Restored steam syrup factory from 1879, partly a protected monument
• Floating walkway past the old presses
• Authentic boiling kettles, centrifuges and Kestner installation
• Craft syrup boiling, where you can watch the production process
• Experience modules on fruit, orchards and the auction
• Bistro De Smaakfabriek and regional products shop

Permanent exhibitions

• Fruitbelevingscentrum – Experience modules on soil and climate, fruit trees, orchards, the rhythm of nature, science and education, and the auction.
• Stroopkamer en stroopstokerij – Exhibition modules on syrup boiling, authentic installations and a craft production area where you can watch syrup being made.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Stad Tongeren-Borgloon

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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 fruit experience centre is fully wheelchair-accessible; next to the stairs there is a lift to the floating walkway.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

On arrival, children receive a brochure with assignments for young visitors, through which they discover everything about fruit and its processing in a playful way. The experience modules are designed for young and old.

Getting there & parking

The centre lies along the cycle route network between junction nodes 152 and 136.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Bistro De Smaakfabriek on the ground floor serves regional dishes. At reception there is a shop with regional products.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit