Museum Sloten

About the museum

Museum Sloten tells the story of Sloten, the smallest of the eleven Frisian towns. It is housed in the former town hall, built in 1759 on the site of an older town house. Until 1984 it was the seat of the municipal administration; with the municipal reorganization, Sloten became part of the new municipality of Gaasterlân-Sleat. The building is still an official wedding venue today. Besides the museum, it houses the tourist information office. The municipality, as owner, had the building thoroughly renovated in winter 2022/23.

The exhibition has been renewed and uses magic lanterns as a common thread to tell the town's history. A special feature is twelve two-handed swords, which are now on display in a new showcase after investigations by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed and the Nationaal Militair Museum. Other themes include water, to which Sloten owes its origin and prosperity; Frisian identity, with costume and golden ear irons; and the "Frisian freedom", meaning administration and justice. The attic is devoted to friend and foe.

Children can go on a scavenger hunt through the museum with the mouse Wick. The museum is run by the Stichting Museum Stedhûs Sleat; to the public it appears as Museum Sloten.

Highlights

• Twelve two-handed swords in a new showcase
• Magic lanterns tell the town's history
• Former town hall from 1759 in the center of Sloten
• Scavenger hunt with the mouse Wick for children
• Themes: water, Frisian freedom, costume

Permanent exhibitions

• Zweihandschwerter von Sloten – Twelve two-handed swords in their own showcase; the Nationaal Militair Museum investigated their origin.
• Zauberlaternen – Magic lanterns and picture sequences in the museum tell the history of the town of Sloten.

Operated by

Stichting Museum Stedhûs Sleat

Admission & discounts

Free admission: In November (Open Museummaand) free for residents of Friesland with a voucher.

Free with a Museumkaart, and for Friends of the Museum and volunteers.

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

Access via the side entrance; if needed, call ahead or ask at the cash desk to have the side door opened. There is a lift, an accessible toilet and one parking space next to the building. Assistance dogs are always allowed, and other clean, well-behaved dogs are generally allowed too.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Scavenger hunt with the mouse Wick; program for school classes.

Getting there & parking

Driving time from Groningen about 50 minutes, from the Randstad about 1 hour 15 minutes; in summer allow extra time for bridge openings.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

No museum café; there are places to eat a short distance away in Sloten. Museum shop with books, puzzles, scarves and sweaters.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 40 guests.

Wedding hall in the former town hall for about 40 people; rental Monday to Thursday €275, Friday and Saturday €375, plus municipal fees. Catering is possible in the neighboring building De Poarte.

Plan your visit