Zeeuws Museum

About the museum

The roots of the Zeeuws Museum go back to 1769, when wealthy Zeelanders founded the Koninklijk Zeeuwsch Genootschap der Wetenschappen (Royal Zeeland Society of Sciences). In the late 18th century the society established the province's first museum, the Museum Medioburgense in Middelburg. Alongside it, an art museum with paintings and drawings was created in 1886. Both institutions declined over the course of the 20th century, and the bombing of 1940 destroyed part of the collections.

After the war there was a desire for a modern museum for the province once more. In 1961 the Zeeuwse Museumstichting moved into a patrician house on Wagenaarstraat, which soon proved inadequate. Since 1972 the museum has occupied part of the abbey in the centre of Middelburg, a complex whose origins date back to the 11th century and which also houses the provincial government.

Today the museum presents the cultural history of Zeeland, from archaeology and everyday life to art and fashion. The permanent exhibition "Dit is Zeeland" connects hundreds of pieces in surprising ways, including works by Jan Toorop and Piet Mondriaan as well as installations made of shells. The six famous tapestries, created between 1593 and 1604 on commission from the States of Zeeland, tell of the naval battles fought by the Zeelanders against the Spanish in the Eighty Years' War. The museum takes an inclusive approach, offers participatory activities such as the Werkplaats (workshop) and stands on the threshold of a possible relocation.

Highlights

• Six tapestries of the naval battles of the Eighty Years' War (1593–1604)
• Permanent exhibition "Dit is Zeeland" with works by Toorop and Mondriaan
• Fashion exhibitions and open textile workshop (WERKPLAATS)
• Museum in the medieval abbey on the Abdijplein
• ZMcafé with terrace on the Abdijplein

Permanent exhibitions

• Dit is Zeeland – Hundreds of pieces show Zeeland from surprising perspectives, with works by Toorop and Mondriaan and new installations made of shells.
• Wandtapijten – The six famous tapestries depicting naval battles of the Eighty Years' War, woven between 1593 and 1604 on commission from the States of Zeeland.

Founded

1972

Operated by

Stichting Zeeuws Museum

Admission & discounts

Free admission with Museumkaart, Rembrandtpas, ICOM card, Friends of the Zeeuws Museum, VriendenLoterij VIP-Kaart and Zeeuwse Studentenpas. Online ticket purchase possible.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Wheelchair accessible with a turning circle of up to 1.5 m; some areas are harder to reach, staff will help. Five free loan wheelchairs (reserve beforehand at rondleidingen@zeeuwsmuseum.nl); for safety reasons, a maximum of five wheelchair users at a time, scooters are not allowed because of the fragile collection. Lift with a door width of 0.85 m and a cabin length of 1.50 m, folding chairs, gender-neutral toilet. The museum recognises the Hidden Disabilities sunflower lanyard; a pictogram card is available at reception. Holders of a GPK may park free of charge in disabled and paid spaces.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

The ZM Zigzag is a paper search-and-discover booklet for children up to age 10 (free at reception, in Dutch and German). There is also "ZM Ziezo", a playful look at the collection, and the open WERKPLAATS (Tuesday to Friday 1:30–4:00 pm, free) for hands-on activities with volunteers. Baby-changing room in the accessible toilet; free admission up to age 18.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the abbey in the city centre; the landmark is the abbey tower "Lange Jan". Drivers from Rotterdam take the A16, A17 and A58 to exit 39 towards Middelburg.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

ZMcafé (Tuesday to Sunday 11 am–5 pm) with coffee, homemade cake, lunch and a terrace on the Abdijplein; for groups also breakfast, lunch, dinner, barbecue and receptions by arrangement. Cloakroom and lockers are free of charge, as is Wi-Fi throughout the building. E-bike charging point available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Rooms with conference and audiovisual equipment available to hire; the ZMcafé offers catering for groups, including outside opening hours.

Plan your visit