Meet the residents of the Men's Ward

Living History takes you along

Jump to...

It is 1907, the box beds are made, the housekeeper is supervising. An elderly guest nods to you kindly.

This is no ordinary tour, this is Living History

Living History Foundation brings the daily life of 1907 back to the Mannenzaal. You will meet residents who spent their final years here. Often illiterate. Poor. But full of stories.

Meet the residents of yesteryear

The players live and speak as if it were 1907.
You visit men who spent their old age in this communal space. During the day, they were often on the streets. In the evening, they were required to be indoors, because you had to be inside by 8 p.m. At 9 p.m., the lights went out.

They talk about poverty and camaraderie. About rules and customs. About hope, shame and small moments of happiness.

The house father and house mother, appointed by the regents,strictly enforce the rules of order. They are not to be trifled with.

This results in extraordinary conversations. Personal, sometimes moving, sometimes confrontational.

When can you visit Living History?

On Saturdays 12 – 4 p.m.
From 4 April to 31 October (except 12 September – Open Monument Day)
During the May, summer and autumn holidays in the Central region, also on Thursdays and Fridays

Buy your Ticket

Buy tickets

Frequently asked questions

Visitor Information

This is the only medieval guest house in the Netherlands that has been preserved, including its interior. Here, you can still imagine how the residents must have lived. Initially, the guest house was only intended for the sick. Later, it became a guest house with separate sections for women and men. The Men's Ward and Chapel of the St. Pieters- en Blokland Guest House were already in use in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Volunteer

We would love to! We are looking for volunteers for Hospitality & Supervision. You can find the vacancies here.

Visitor information

We are open: Tuesday to Sunday | 12:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Closed on Mondays

Parking
• No parking spaces in front of the building; nearest car park: Stadhuisplein, Stadhuisplein 4, 3811 LM Amersfoort
• No disabled parking spaces available in front of the building
• Need to drop someone off at the entrance? This is possible. Please contact the Museum Flehite reception at least one hour in advance, but preferably a day in advance: 033-2471100. Or apply for the municipal exemption well in advance via GPK.

Entrance
• Level differences present (height differences)
• Solution:
o ramp
• Entrance is accessible to wheelchair users
• Doors do not open automatically
• Hinged doors
• Reception desk not adapted

Accessibility within the building
• No thresholds inside
• Sufficient space to manoeuvre, walkways at least 120 cm wide
• Wheelchair ramp available at the entrance
• The floor is an old-fashioned tiled floor, uneven, but suitable for wheelchairs
• The mezzanine is only accessible via a spiral staircase. This is not accessible to people with reduced mobility or in a wheelchair

Accessible toilet
• 1 accessible toilet
• Cleaned daily
• Door width: 84 cm

• Toilet
• Space to the left of the toilet: 52 cm; to the right of the toilet: 54 cm | In front of the toilet: 115 cm | Depth of toilet: 55 cm
• Area: 2.38 m²
• Toilet seat height: 44 cm
• Grab rails available: no

Presentation and information
• Exhibition texts are clearly legible (contrast and font size)
• Objects and texts are at an accessible viewing height
• Reflection in display cases is limited
• Audiovisual media are provided with subtitles (where possible)
• Alternative information is available (e.g. audio commentary or explanation by staff)
• Staff can offer assistance

Other facilities

Assistance or guide dogs are welcome upon presentation of an assistance dog or service animal identification card.
Free entry for a companion
No automatic doors
No audio support
Pictogram Museum Card: A pictogram museum card is available at reception. This is intended to help visitors who use supportive communication enjoy their visit to the museum more fully and feel more involved.
A tool to help you express what you think of your visit to the museum and how you experience it.

Entrance tickets can also be purchased in the Men's Hall. Please note that payment is only accepted by card.

Contact information:
Email: info@mannenzaal.nl
Address: Westsingel 47, 3811 BB Amersfoort
Phone: Museum Flehite: 033-247 11 00

Admission prices: Adults €6 | Children up to 18 years Free | Student card €5 | CJP €3 | With a Waterlijn/Keilijn ticket
€3

Accessibility:
Public transport: From Amersfoort Central Station, take city bus 1, 2, 3, 4, or 7. Get off at the Stadhuis stop. From there, it's about a 5-minute walk via Molenstraat and Westsingel.

Prefer to walk? The distance from the station is 1.2 km (approximately 14 minutes).

Note: Amersfoort's city center is car-free. Parking is available nearby at the Stadhuisplein parking garage and the St-Jorisplein parking garage.

More detailed information can be found on our website via the Plan your Visit button.

Yes, that's possible. In the Men's Hall, the past and present are connected.
The curriculum is tailored to primary and secondary education and is a collaboration between Living History and NEOS Cultural Education. You can find detailed information by clicking the "School Visit" link at the bottom of the page.

Via social media and/or by emailing info@mannenzaal.nl. For practical questions, you can also call the Museum Flehite reception during opening hours: 033-2471100