Nationaal Museum Tachtigjarige Oorlog

About the museum

The Nationaal Museum Tachtigjarige Oorlog (NMTO) opened in Groenlo on 15 April 2025. The impetus came from the Stadsmuseum Groenlo, which until then had mainly been devoted to the siege of the town. To show the Eighty Years' War from a regional, national and international perspective, the new museum was founded; the Stadsmuseum closed on 1 January 2025 and now only manages its collection.

The NMTO is housed in the Oude Calixtuskerk, a late Gothic pseudo-basilica whose tower dates from 1371. Over its history the church survived six sieges, was badly damaged in 1672 during the attack by the Bishop of Münster, "Bommen Berend", and was hit by an aerial bomb in 1945. It was comprehensively restored from 2005 to 2007; since 1978 it has belonged to the Stichting Gelderse Kerken. The museum entrance and ticket desk are in the former town hall opposite the church.

The concept turns visitors into investigative journalists: with headphones and a microphone they question objects and figures and assemble their own version of events from the voices of soldiers, citizens and diplomats. On a steel walkway, themed bastions lead, among other things, to the siege of Grol, to trade, to the VOC and to slavery. Loans include a "Kortegaerd" painting from the Rijksmuseum and a painting of Frederik Hendrik before Grol from Paleis Het Loo.

Highlights

• Visitors become investigative journalists with headphones and a microphone
• Steel walkway with themed bastions (siege of Grol, VOC, slavery)
• Replica armour to try on and nutmeg to smell
• Loans from the Rijksmuseum, Paleis Het Loo and the Nationaal Militair Museum
• Late Gothic Oude Calixtuskerk with a tower from 1371

Permanent exhibition

• Vaste presentatie Tachtigjarige Oorlog – An interactive permanent exhibition in which visitors, as journalists, question objects and historical figures and compare different perspectives on the Eighty Years' War.

Founded

2025

Director

Daphne Maas

Admission & discounts

Free for Museumkaart holders, holders of the VriendenLoterij VIP card (one person per card), Friends of the Museum via HvvG (with ID) and ICOM members. Tickets at the museum ticket desk or online.

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

All exhibition areas can be reached by lift; loan wheelchair on request by email. Electric scooters are not permitted for safety reasons. For hearing-impaired visitors, the audio texts are available as a booklet at the ticket desk; there are not yet any special offers for visually impaired visitors. Seating throughout the building.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Hands-on stations such as a replica suit of armour to try on; for groups 7 and 8 of primary school there is the museum lesson "Ooggetuigen van de oorlog" (60 minutes).

Getting there & parking

The entrance is in the former town hall opposite the Oude Calixtuskerk; follow the signposts.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

No museum café; Groenlo's catering square is right next to the museum. Museum shop with books, a puzzle and a tea set.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit