Visit with students
Mannenzaal is not just any museum. It is a place where pupils experience history. In a room with real box beds, in the middle of the city, they step back in time to Amersfoort around 1907. They meet residents from that era, listen to their stories and make connections with their own lives today.
Learning in a place where it really happened
The Mannenzaal was part of the St. Pieters en Bloklands Gasthuis. This was where elderly, sick or poor men lived. During the school visit for primary or secondary education, pupils are introduced to this special heritage and discover what care and community life used to be like.
In the interactive programme 1907! Who Cares?, five “residents” take centre stage. Pupils prepare an interview and engage in conversation with them. In this way, they not only learn about the past, but also explore what has changed – and what remains recognisable.
Educational value: connecting the past and the present
The programme is tailored to primary and secondary education and is a collaboration between Levende Historie and NEOS Cultuuronderwijs.
Social themes covered:
- care for the elderly and health
- the position of women and gender equality
- industrialisation and working conditions
- education and inequality of opportunity
- progress and the importance of preservation
Pupils compare life around 1907 with their own world. They learn to observe, ask questions and reflect. This makes the visit relevant for subjects such as history, citizenship and social studies.
Connection to education:
- Primary education: Citizenship, Space & Time
- Secondary education: Art & Society
Active, meaningful and well supervised
The Mannenzaal is small-scale and well-organised. This creates a calm atmosphere and allows for focused attention. Pupils are actively involved and experience heritage not only with their minds, but also with their hearts.
The programme consists of:
- a preparatory lesson at school (60 min.)
- a museum visit to the Mannenzaal (75 min.)
- a concluding lesson at school (45 min.)
This ensures that the visit is firmly embedded in the curriculum.
Practical information for schools
- Target group:
-- Primary education: years 7 and 8
-- Secondary education: years 1 and 2 - Type of activity: interactive museum visit
Interested in a visit with your school?
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
During the holidays, our opening hours may vary: New Year's Day Closed | Easter Sunday & Monday: 12:00 AM - 4:00 PM | King's Day: Closed | Ascension Day: 12:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Liberation Day: 12:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Whit Sunday & Monday: 12:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Christmas Day: Closed | Boxing Day: 12:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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
Request information
Fill out the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Accessibility & Facilities
Ground floor
The Mannenzaal and the Chapel are on the ground floor. There are no thresholds inside. There is a small step at the entrance, but a wheelchair ramp is provided. For more information, see the FAQ.
Accessible restroom
There is a spacious accessible restroom equipped with the necessary grab bars.
Rental wheelchair
A wheelchair is available free of charge on site
Service dogs
Service dogs and guide dogs are welcome, provided they are clearly identifiable as such.
Resting stools
Stools are available for taking a quick break.
Caregiver free of charge
Visitors who are unable to move around the museum independently may bring a caregiver free of charge.
Note: Please remember to add a companion ticket when booking online.
