Limburgs Museum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Limburgs Museum was formed in 1993 through the merger of two institutions: the Goltziusmuseum in Venlo, a city museum opened in 1967, and the Limburgs Volkskundig Centrum in Limbricht. The goal was a joint museum for the cultural and everyday history of the Dutch province of Limburg.

Architect Jeanne Dekkers designed a new building for the museum opposite Venlo station, which opened in 2000. The site has a history of its own: for centuries Venlo's city walls and fortifications ran here, and after they were razed in 1870, the land held the shunting tracks of private railroad companies. On the southern edge, an Esso gas station from 1933 has survived; it is considered the oldest still-standing gas station in the Netherlands and now serves food. In 2021 the entrance area was remodeled to be more accessible; since then the museum and the neighboring Museum van Bommel van Dam have together formed the Museumskwartier.

The collection ranges from archaeological finds – including traces of early humans in South Limburg and Roman and medieval objects – to folklore holdings on carnival, religious devotion, agriculture, and textiles. A panorama cinema takes visitors on a journey through 250,000 years of regional history. The museum is also active with presentations elsewhere in the province and with the online storytelling portal "Ons Limburgs Museum." A new permanent presentation is currently being developed, with its opening announced for summer 2027.

Highlights

• Historoscoop: panoramic projection through 250,000 years of history between the Meuse and the Rhine
• Archaeology exhibition "Van neanderthaler tot stedeling" with mammoth bones and Roman finds
• Hands-on family exhibition "Feest!" about festivals and customs in Limburg
• Oldest surviving gas station in the Netherlands (Esso, 1933) next to the museum
• Museum building by Jeanne Dekkers on the site of the former city fortifications

Permanent exhibitions

• Van neanderthaler tot stedeling – Archaeological finds from Limburg, from traces of early humans' campfires and mammoth bones to Roman and medieval objects, with an interactive journey through time.
• Historoscoop – Panoramic projection of about 25 minutes that leads through 250,000 years of history of present-day Limburg.
• Feest! – Family exhibition about festivals in Limburg – from carnival and marksmen's festivals to Ramadan and bar mitzvahs – with many play and hands-on stations.

Founded

1993

Director

Bert Mennings

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart; likewise with the Museumkidskaart, VriendenLoterij VIP card, Rembrandtkaart, ICOM card, and for Friends of the museum and Business Club members. All visitors – including those with free admission – should reserve a time slot online; tickets at the desk only if slots are available.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Libergo-certified; gently sloping ramp to the entrance, elevators, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms. A limited number of loaner wheelchairs at the ticket desk. Mobility scooters are not allowed in the galleries (only in the café and foyer). Three accessible parking spaces behind the museum on the Deken van Oppensingel.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Hands-on family exhibition "Feest!" with dress-up, silent disco, and festival stage; explorer bag with game cards for children ages 6 to 12 and an activity booklet for the archaeology exhibition. Children's birthday parties (approx. ages 6–10) with a café package, family days, and an annual Sinterklaas exhibition.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum café overlooking the Julianapark, serving regional products; museum shop at the ticket desk, also accessible without admission. Next door, "Ut Tankstation" (ice cream and light meals, Wed–Mon 12:00–18:00) in the historic gas station. Free coat check and lockers; coats, large bags, and backpacks are not allowed in the exhibition.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Museum theater with cinema screen (70 seats), foyer (receptions up to 100 people), studio, museum café (dinners up to 40 people), and meeting room; galleries on request. Private parties and children's birthday parties also possible.

Plan your visit