Verbiest Experience Center
Free visitor centre in the Pittem town hall about the life of the missionary, astronomer and engineer Ferdinand Verbiest and his journey to China.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Ferdinand Verbiest was born in Pittem in 1623 and, four centuries later, is still the village's best-known inhabitant. In 1641 he joined the Jesuit order and left as a missionary for China, where he spent much of his life. There he built a reputation as an astronomer, engineer, linguist and geographer, played an important role at the imperial court and became a mandarin. He died in Beijing in 1688 and was even given a state funeral.
In memory of Ferdinand Verbiest, the Bezoekerscentrum Ferdinand Verbiest opened in 2010. In 2023 the centre, with support from Toerisme Vlaanderen, received a makeover to mark the 400th anniversary of his birth, and since then it has been known as the Ferdinand Verbiest Experience Center.
In the centre you learn more about Verbiest's life story and his journey to China, and about what he built and introduced: for example, this native of Pittem is said to have built the steam car and introduced the thermometer in China. The centre is located on the Markt in Pittem, in the town hall.
Highlights
- Life story of Ferdinand Verbiest (1623–1688), Jesuit, astronomer, engineer and mandarin at the imperial court
- His journey to China and his work there
- The steam car and the thermometer that Verbiest is said to have built and introduced in China
- Free visit during the opening hours of the town hall
- Free guided tour for groups from 10 people
Permanent exhibition
- Ferdinand Verbiest: levensverhaal en reis naar China – Experience centre on the Pittem-born Jesuit, astronomer and engineer Ferdinand Verbiest and his work at the imperial court in China.
- Founded
- 2010
- Operated by
- Gemeente Pittem
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups (10+ people) | free per personA guided tour is free for groups from 10 people; book at least 3 weeks in advance. |
|---|
Visits without a guide are free. At the town hall reception you can buy a souvenir: a Verbiest pin for €1 or Verbiest socks for €5; for a weekend visit with a guide you can reserve souvenirs in advance and pay the guide by Payconiq or in cash (exact amount).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Souvenirs (pin and socks) are on sale at the town hall reception.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Groups from 10 people and school classes book a free guided tour at least 3 weeks in advance via the reservation form or the tourism department. |
