Cavaleriemuseum

About the museum

Since 1881, cavalrymen, the hussars, have played an important role in Amersfoort. The Cavaleriemuseum is located on the grounds of the Bernhard Barracks and, since its reopening in 1998, has told the story of the Dutch cavalry since the 17th century: its traditions, its transformation and its tasks within the Royal Netherlands Army. The opening was performed by the then Crown Prince after an extensive renewal project of the historic cavalry collection had been completed.

The museum is housed in the Sint-Jorisgebouw, named after the patron saint of the cavalry. The 1952 building originally served as the teaching building of the Cavalry Depot and later of the Cavalry Training Centre, and for its time it was very modern, built with a reinforced-concrete frame; the old classrooms and corridors can still be recognised on the upper levels. A second museum building, the Landsverkgebouw, displays vehicles.

The tour begins on the ground floor with the characteristics of the cavalry, an overview of uniforms and the museum shop. The second level is devoted to the period when the horse was the means of transport, from the Eighty Years' War to before the Second World War, including show-jumping prizes and the theme “Orange and the Cavalry”. The third level leads from the mobilisation of 1914–1918 through the May days of 1940 and the Indies period to the Cold War and peacekeeping missions. The collection includes uniforms, weapons, decorations, models and a selection of tanks and armoured cars that have been used by cavalry units since 1936, including Leopard tanks and Fennek vehicles. The museum is run exclusively by volunteers.

Highlights

• Uniforms, sabres and weapons from the era of the mounted cavalry
• Partial collections of the hussar regiments Van Sytzama, Prins van Oranje, Prins Alexander and Boreel
• Theme “Orange and the Cavalry” with objects from the royal family's possessions
• Tanks and armoured cars, including Leopard and Fennek, in the Landsverkgebouw and on the barracks grounds
• Permanent exhibition from the Eighty Years' War to peace missions

Permanent exhibitions

• Die niederländische Kavallerie vom Pferd zum Panzer – Permanent exhibition in the Sint-Jorisgebouw on three levels: uniforms, the era of the mounted cavalry, mobilisation, world wars, the Indies period, the Cold War and peacekeeping missions.
• Wielen en rupsbanden (Räder und Ketten) – In the Landsverkgebouw and on the barracks grounds stand tanks and armoured cars that have been used by cavalry units since 1936.

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the museum's Vriendenpas, Defensiepas, Veteranenpas or Museumkaart.

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

According to its website, the museum offers several facilities for wheelchair users; in the Sint-Jorisgebouw a lift leads to the exhibition levels.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The Sint-Jorisgebouw is located directly opposite the entrance of the Bernhard Barracks (Barchman Wuytierslaan 198).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop on the ground floor with books, posters, badges, headgear and other cavalry items; items can be reserved in advance and collected on site. Payment by card or cash only. Museum library available.

Events & venue rental

On the top floor there is a room for special occasions; the website does not state the terms.

Plan your visit