Museum Slag bij Heiligerlee

About the museum

The museum is devoted to the Battle of Heiligerlee on May 23, 1568. A small army under Louis and Adolf of Nassau, the younger brothers of William of Orange, inflicted a painful defeat on the Spanish troops. The battle is considered the beginning of the Eighty Years' War and is deeply embedded in the collective memory of the Dutch. The museum is housed in a former farmhouse; in the core of the old farm is the auditorium, where a short film tells the story of the battle.

The museum asks about the truths and untruths surrounding the battle. With a wall-filling presentation and the film, visitors are invited to look for the meaning of the battle for themselves. On display are 16th-century armour and weapons that can be handled, so visitors can feel how heavy armour and the musket were, as well as archaeological finds and old books that shed light on the events from new angles. In 2012/2013 the museum was renewed together with the Klokkengieterijmuseum and given new presentations and an education program.

Outdoors, the battle can be experienced on two marked hiking routes through the nature areas De Hoogte (Heiligerlee) and De Garst (Westerlee), where the fighting took place. The Stiftung Musea Heiligerlee plans a further renewal with a new building; the municipality of Oldambt and the province of Groningen committed funds for this in 2025.

Highlights

• Short film about the Battle of Heiligerlee in 1568, shown in the auditorium
• Wall-filling presentation on the (un)truths of the battle
• Armour, weapons and muskets to handle
• Archaeological finds and old books about the battle
• Two experience hiking routes through the battlefield nature areas

Permanent exhibitions

• Präsentation und Film zur Schlacht bei Heiligerlee – A short film and a wall-filling presentation take visitors through the events of 1568 and ask about the meaning of the battle.
• Sammlung – Armour, 16th-century weapons to handle, archaeological finds and old books.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Stichting Musea Heiligerlee

Admission & discounts

Prices for 2026. The Museumkaart is not valid.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Armour and muskets may be handled; for school classes there is an interactive clue hunt and a teaching pack.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the Provincialeweg in Heiligerlee (no. 55); the Klokkengieterijmuseum is also on this road (no. 46).

Amenities & dining

• Café

Brasserie in a 16th-century setting, with coffee, tea, cake and pastries; suitable for groups and all ages, open only by arrangement.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The museums are a popular wedding venue; for use of the brasserie and arrangements, phone +31 597 76 90 10.

Plan your visit