Stadhuismuseum Zierikzee

About the museum

The Stadhuismuseum Zierikzee tells the story of the monument town of Zierikzee and the island of Schouwen-Duiveland. It is housed in the former town hall, a building more than 450 years old that once accommodated the town council, the court, the water board, the meat hall and the weigh house. Highlights include the oak roof structure and the period rooms; a carillon hangs in the 42-metre-high town hall tower.

The collection has been growing since 1911, when an antiquities room was set up in the town hall attic; in 1930 it officially became the municipal museum. In 1977 the collection of the Maritiem Museum Zierikzee was added, later holdings of the water board and, after the municipal reform of 1997, objects from the island's former town halls. Since 2012 everything has been united in the town hall. Today the museum, which is organised as a foundation, manages almost 9,000 objects belonging to the municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland.

On display are ship models, old maps, silverwork, paintings, archaeological finds and curiosities; they tell of the trading town that shipped salt and madder to all of Europe. The museum also includes the Gravensteen, the count's former stone house of 1524 and the oldest prison in Zeeland, where prisoners carved signs and texts into the oak walls; it can be visited on guided tours.

Highlights

• Historic town hall of Zierikzee with oak roof frame and period rooms
• Gravensteen: guided tour of the oldest prison in Zeeland (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
• Collection of ship models, old maps, silver and paintings
• Museum café with inner courtyard and the sound of the carillon
• 18th-century wedding room

Permanent exhibitions

• Stad, land en water – In the new exhibition hall, masterpieces from the municipal collection tell the story of Zierikzee, Schouwen-Duiveland and the surrounding water.
• Gravensteen – Guided tour of the count's stone house of 1524 with 16th-century cells and carvings by prisoners, including Dunkirk privateers.

Founded

1930

Operated by

Stichting Stadhuismuseum Zierikzee

Admission & discounts

Free for Museumkaart holders, ICOM members, members of the Vereniging Rembrandt and children up to 5 years.

Accessibility

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

Almost all rooms are accessible, some via lift or adapted thresholds; a wheelchair is available. Mobility scooters are not permitted in the building. Holders of a disabled parking permit park free of charge in the designated spaces.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

A Speurtocht ("treasure hunt") for ages 8 and up is available free of charge with every visit in addition to admission; there are also Speurtochten for various age groups and the Gravensteen tour for all ages.

Getting there & parking

Public transport journeys can be planned via 9292.nl. The museum is located in the centre of Zierikzee, Meelstraat 6-8.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Coat check

Museum café in the heart of the museum with space for up to 60 people, an inner courtyard and Zeeland pastries; accessible without admission during opening hours. Large bags, backpacks, umbrellas and wet jackets must be left in the cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

Wedding room on the 1st floor (up to 100 people, lift, sound system) and museum café (up to 60 people) for weddings, lectures, receptions and meetings, also after the museum has closed.

Plan your visit