Zouavenmuseum

About the museum

The Papal Zouaves were volunteers from many countries who defended the Papal States against the Italian unification movement in the 19th century. Thousands of men travelled from the Netherlands to Rome, and Oudenbosch became an important gathering point and, later, a meeting place for those who had returned home. The Zouaven Museum is dedicated to this history as the only museum in the world to do so.

It was founded by Brother Christofoor van Langen, a history teacher at the teacher training college of the Brothers of St. Louis. He collected documents and objects relating to the Zouaves; in 1947 a first museum opened in the former Kweekschool. After his death in 1968, the collection was loaned for 50 years to the municipality of Oudenbosch, and later to the municipality of Halderberge. Since its reopening on 1 May 1975, the museum has been housed in the former town hall of 1776 on the market square, a Rijksmonument. In 1995 the Stichting Nederlands Zouavenmuseum foundation was established; since June 2000 it has been a registered museum.

In three rooms the museum displays original uniforms, paintings by Faber – including scenes from the battle at Monte Libretti and the cholera epidemic in Albano –, the Mentana banner of 1867, as well as personal letters, diaries and mementos. A documentation collection and a Zouave register allow family researchers to search for male ancestors; in the attic, an exhibition covers Zouaves from the municipality of Halderberge.

Highlights

• Original uniforms of the Papal Zouaves
• Paintings by Faber, such as "Heroes of Albano" and the Dutchman Pieter Jong at Monte Libretti
• Mentana banner commemorating the victory of 1867
• Letters, diaries and mementos of Dutch volunteers
• Zouave register and archive terminal for genealogical research

Permanent exhibitions

• Rundgang durch das Zouavenmuseum – Three rooms with uniforms, paintings, the Mentana banner, and letters and mementos of Dutch Zouaves.
• Zouaven aus Halderberge – An ongoing presentation in the attic about the Zouaves from the municipality of Halderberge.

Founded

1947

Operated by

Stichting Nederlands Zouavenmuseum

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart and for Friends of the Zouavenmuseum (friends' association from €15 per year). Tickets at the museum or online via Visit Halderberge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The museum has a stairlift and an accessible toilet; the lift is currently broken, so the building is currently not accessible to wheelchair users.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

There is a separate tour for children, followed by a treasure hunt (speurtocht) in the museum.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located on the market square in Oudenbosch.

Amenities & 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