Uilenspiegelmuseum

About the museum

For centuries Damme has been known as the Uilenspiegel town of Flanders. According to the story by Charles De Coster from 1867, Tijl Uilenspiegel was born in Damme; his novel made him a symbol of the Flemish popular spirit. The original Low German Dil Ulenspiegel is a very different figure: a cheeky rogue from the book by Hermann Bote, printed around 1500 in Strasbourg.

The Uilenspiegelmuseum places these stories in their historical context and builds a bridge to the present, because every Uilenspiegel is a mirror of his time. The exhibition shows the origins of the story, the history of its printing and the many ways in which Tijl has been claimed over time, through medieval manuscripts, sixteenth-century prints, engravings, sculptures and interactive displays.

The museum occupies the first and second floors of Huyse de Grote Sterre on the market square of Damme, where the tourist office Visit Damme and the Visitor Centre Damme and Zwin Region are also based. The offer has been renewed and expanded, with an adventurous search-and-do trail and an Uilenspiegel treasure hunt for young and old.

Highlights

• Five centuries of Tijl Uilenspiegel in pictures
• Medieval manuscripts and sixteenth-century prints
• Stories by Hermann Bote and Charles De Coster
• Search-and-do trail and Uilenspiegel treasure hunt for families
• Housed in the historic Huyse de Grote Sterre

Permanent exhibition

• Uilenspiegelmuseum: vijf eeuwen Tijl Uilenspiegel – Permanent exhibition on the origins and many forms of Tijl Uilenspiegel, with manuscripts, prints, engravings, sculptures and interactive displays.

Operated by

Stad Damme

Admission & discounts

Free admission for residents of Damme, teachers, holders of the Museumpas, members of the Vlaamse Museumvereniging or ICOM, and children under 6. With a UiTPAS you get free admission for 15 points.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• 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 museum is located on the first and second floors of Huyse de Grote Sterre. There is no lift and the location is not wheelchair-accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Young and old can enjoy an adventurous search-and-do trail and an exciting Uilenspiegel treasure hunt. There is a family ticket for 2 parents and 3 children. The museum is on the first and second floors, without a lift.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Huyse de Grote Sterre on the market square of Damme, 5 kilometres from Bruges. You can also take the boat De Lamme Goedzak from Bruges to Damme. In Damme the zone 70 applies everywhere, and zone 50 or zone 30 in the village centres.

Amenities & dining

The same building has a PostPunt (post office counter) and public toilets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit