Stedelijk Museum Zutphen

About the museum

The museum goes back to a collection assembled in 1877 by the city secretary Baron L.A.F.J. van Heeckeren and was set up as an antiquities room in 1903; at that time the holdings comprised around 500 objects. Until 1945 it was housed in the Wijnhuis on the market square. On 9 April 1945, a Canadian flamethrower, used against German snipers in the tower, destroyed the building and most of the collection.

After reconstruction, the museum moved in 1954 into the dormitory and refectory of the 13th-century Broederenklooster, where it remained for over six decades. In May 2017 it moved to the listed Hof van Heeckeren on the 's Gravenhof, which was officially opened on 13 May 2017. There it shares the building with the Museum Henriette Polak; both are run by Musea Zutphen.

The exhibition tells Zutphen's story from Viking times through the Hanseatic era, when the city was considered particularly wealthy, to the Eighty Years' War and the Second World War. Highlights include a Viking sacrifice from 882, staged like a crime scene, the glass bead necklace of the Princess of Leesten, dated to around 800 BC and regarded as the oldest glass in the Netherlands, and Zutphen silver from 1755.

Highlights

• Glass bead necklace of the Princess of Leesten (c. 800 BC)
• Viking sacrifice from 882 staged as a crime scene
• Zutphen silver from 1755
• The Hanseatic era: Zutphen as "De Rijkste" (the richest)
• Children's rally with bingo and Speurkaart (treasure-hunt card)

Permanent exhibition

• Zutphen und die Graafschap – The permanent exhibition leads from the Vikings and the Hanseatic League to modern times; among other things, you can see the Leesten glass bead necklace and Zutphen silver.

Founded

1903

Operated by

Stichting Musea Zutphen

Admission & discounts

Individual tickets for each of the two museums; combination ticket for both buildings. Free with the Museumkaart, ICOM card, Rembrandtkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP card and for friends of Musea Zutphen. Tickets online at tickets.museazutphen.nl.

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

The building is wheelchair accessible, with lifts and adapted toilets. The wheelchair entrance is the green door of the white house on the right next to the Schelpenpoort. Only a few wheelchairs are available to borrow (reserve at least 2 days in advance). "Museum-maatjes" (museum buddies) personally accompany visitors with disabilities on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

For children there is a "Bijzondere dingen" bingo and a Speurkaart (treasure-hunt card).

Getting there & parking

Visitor address 's Gravenhof 4; the entrance is at the Schelpenpoort.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café with terrace and a bookshop, where the Museumkaart is also available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Auditorium available for hire; enquiries via Musea Zutphen.

Plan your visit