Taxandriamuseum | Turnhout

The Taxandria Museum is a regional history and archaeology museum located in the historic center of Turnhout, Belgium. It is housed in the 16th-century "Huis metten Thoren" (House with the Tower), a prestigious former residence that now serves as the primary repository for the cultural heritage of the Antwerp Kempen region.

Visual Characteristics

The museum building is a late-medieval bourgeois house constructed from traditional Flemish red brick with white limestone door and window surrounds. Its most prominent feature is a hexagonal staircase tower topped with a slate-covered spire, which gives the house its name. Inside, the "Hotel Taxandria" concept utilizes themed rooms with period-appropriate timber beams, stone fireplaces, and polished wood floors to display archaeological finds and art.

Location & Access Logistics

Situated at Begijnenstraat 28, the museum is approximately 700 meters northeast of the Turnhout Railway Station. It is easily accessible on foot from the Grote Markt via the Herentalsstraat. Multiple De Lijn bus lines serve the "Turnhout Markt" stop, which is a 3-minute walk from the entrance. Paid vehicle parking is available at the underground Parking Indigo Turnhout Centrum on the nearby Warandestraat.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The "Huis metten Thoren" dates back to the early 16th century and was historically used as a high-status lodging for visiting royalty and noblemen. The museum itself was established to preserve the history of the Taxandria region, an ancient geographical area roughly corresponding to the modern Campine (Kempen). The current "Hotel Taxandria" permanent exhibition was developed to reflect the building's historical function as a place of transit and residence.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors follow a multimedia audio guide where historical characters, such as a tower keeper or an 18th-century lace maker, narrate the history of the region. A major highlight is the extensive bobbin lace collection, featuring the "Lace Unraveled" (Kant Ontrafeld) exhibition which details Turnhout's specific lace-making techniques. Archaeological displays include a 2,000-year-old bronze statue of Bacchus and 17th-century religious artifacts.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The museum is equipped with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and accessible restroom facilities. A small gift shop at the reception desk sells local historical publications and regional crafts. There is reliable 5G cellular coverage throughout the premises. While the museum does not have an on-site café, the central location provides immediate access to numerous dining options in the surrounding streets of the historic center.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 14:00 to 17:00, and Sundays from 11:00 to 17:00 (closed on Mondays). Weekday afternoons generally offer the quietest experience for exploring the detailed exhibits. Lighting for exterior photography of the brick tower is optimal during the late morning or early afternoon.

Facts & Legends

The museum contains a 17th-century "Great Bible" that is so massive and heavily bound in leather and metal that it historically required two people to carry it safely; it remains one of the largest printed books in the regional collection.

Nearby Landmarks

Beguinage of Turnhout (UNESCO Site) – 0.1km West

Castle of the Dukes of Brabant – 0.3km West

St. Peter's Church (Sint-Pieterskerk) – 0.3km Southwest

National Museum of the Playing Card – 0.6km South

Cultuurhuis de Warande – 0.4km Southwest