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Museum · Damme, Flandres Ocidental
Uilenspiegelmuseum
Small museum about Tijl Uilenspiegel, the mischievous character that writer Charles De Coster made be born in Damme. It is housed in the historic Huyse de Grote Sterre, next to the tourist information office, near the square.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Uilenspiegelmuseum
Tijl Uilenspiegel is a character from German folklore, a wanderer who played tricks on nobles, priests and merchants. The oldest book with his stories was printed in Strasbourg in the early 16th century. In 1867, Belgian writer Charles De Coster published The Legend of Ulenspiegel and moved the character to Flanders.
In De Coster's version, Uilenspiegel is born in Damme and becomes a hero of the Low Countries' resistance against Spanish rule in the 16th century. The novel gave him a father, Claes, a mother, Soetkin, a girlfriend, Nele, and a gluttonous friend, Lamme Goedzak. With the novel, the character became a symbol of Flanders, and Damme adopted him as a son of the village.
The museum occupies the Huyse de Grote Sterre, a historic brick house on the main street, in the same building as the tourist office. The rooms display editions of the book in various languages, illustrations, engravings and objects that show how the story spread around the world and how the character appears in theatre, film and comics.
In the square, in front of the town hall, stands the statue of Uilenspiegel. The museum helps explain why his name appears on signs, in restaurants and in village shops.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 to 45 minutes.
Best time
Opening days vary by time of year. Come in the morning, before the groups of cyclists that arrive from Bruges around midday. Check opening days before you go.
How to get there
It is on Jacob van Maerlantstraat, Damme's main street, a few steps from the square and the town hall. From Bruges it is about 7 kilometers by bike along the Damse Vaart; in season there is a boat on the canal.
Tip
Ask at the tourist information office, in the same building, for the village map and information about bike tours through the polders. After the museum, look for the Uilenspiegel statue in the square.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Uilenspiegelmuseum
Who is Tijl Uilenspiegel?
A character from German folklore who played tricks on the powerful. In Charles De Coster's 1867 novel, he is born in Damme and fights against Spanish rule.
Did Uilenspiegel really exist?
There is no confirmation. It may have been inspired by a real person, but the connection with Damme comes from De Coster's novel.
Where is the museum located?
In the Huyse de Grote Sterre, on Damme's main street, in the same building as the tourist office and near the square.