Touwmuseum
Museum on the history of ropemaking in Oudewater with a hands-on rope walk, a pirate ship for children and changing exhibitions.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Touwmuseum (Rope Museum) in Oudewater was founded on 1 April 2001 and, as the only museum in the Netherlands, tells the story of rope and ropemaking. From the start it has been run exclusively by volunteers, who also look after the collection, put together exhibitions and organise talks and events around rope.
Oudewater became a ropemaking town because it was surrounded by hemp-growing areas – the Lopikerwaard, the Krimpenerwaard and the land of Woerden. Nowhere did ropemaking bring so much prosperity and survive on a large scale for so long as here, not least thanks to the Van der Lee ropewalk, founded in the 16th century, which supplied the VOC, among others. The Witches' Weighhouse also owes its existence to the craft: a special levy on the weighing of hemp made its reconstruction possible after the destruction of 1575. The inhabitants are still called "Geelbuiken" (Yellow Bellies) today, after the yellow bundles of hemp that the rope spinners wore around their stomachs.
The museum follows the path from plant to rope: hemp, banana leaf, agave, coconut, cotton, flax and petroleum as raw materials, plus all the tools, films and a rope walk of its own where visitors can twist a rope themselves. In the attic a pirate ship awaits for play, and outside there is a play area made of rope. Changing exhibitions complement the permanent display.
Highlights
- Twist a rope yourself on the museum's own rope walk
- Tools, films and raw materials from hemp to petroleum
- Pirate ship to play on in the attic and a playground made of rope in front of the building
- Changing exhibitions on ropes and shipping
- Historic old town of Oudewater within walking distance
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- Stichting Touwmuseum Oudewater
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 3 · Children aged 4 to 13: €3; up to and including age 3 free. |
| Groups | –Groups and tours by arrangement. |
| Guided tour | €30Also outside opening hours from €30; registration required. |
Free with the Museumkaart. The VriendenLoterij VIP-Kaart is not accepted.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Largely accessible by wheelchair or walker; only the upper room (attic) cannot be reached because there is no lift.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
According to the museum, suitable for visitors from toddlers to the very old: twisting ropes yourself, a pirate ship in the attic and a playground made of rope in front of the building.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Molenwal
Oudewater has no railway station. Bus 307 (U-OV) connects Gouda and Utrecht with Oudewater (Molenwal stop, twice an hour during the day); from Woerden, Keolis line 123 runs to Oudewater J.J. Vierbergenweg, and there is also Buurtbus 505. On foot through the old town; the signposts are green.
By car
Free parking
Parking almost directly in front of the building, currently free of charge.
Nearest railway stations: Gouda, Utrecht Centraal and Woerden. Bicycle parking at the museum; e-bike batteries can be charged.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group and school visits and guided tours by registration only (info@touwmuseum.nl, reply within 48 hours). |
