Egmont Museum in Zottegem

The Egmont Museum (Dutch: Egmontkamer) is a small museum dedicated to Lamoral, Count of Egmont, set up in the former mayor's office inside the historic town hall on the Markt in Zottegem, Belgium. The exhibition tells the story of a 16th-century nobleman and military leader whose fate is closely tied to the history of this city and the wider region.

Who was Lamoral, Count of Egmont?

Lamoral, Count of Egmont, was one of the leading figures among the Netherlandish nobility during the period of Spanish rule over the Low Countries. In 1568 he was beheaded on the Grand-Place in Brussels, accused of treason against the Spanish crown. His execution became a symbolic event that preceded the Eighty Years' War and is still recalled today as an example of the political repression of that era. Zottegem, historically connected to the Egmont family, has come to carry the informal nickname "Egmontstad" (Egmont City) and keeps the count's memory alive through several landmarks scattered across the town.

Why was the museum opened in 2018?

The Egmontkamer opened in 2018 to mark the 450th anniversary of Lamoral's beheading, an occasion locally referred to as the "Egmontjaar" (Egmont Year). The anniversary provided the impetus to bring together artifacts connected to the count in a single location and make them accessible to residents and visitors to Zottegem alike.

What can visitors see inside?

The interior houses a collection of historical items linked to the Egmont family and to Lamoral personally. Exhibits include paintings, etchings, coins, and sections of flooring tile taken from Egmont Castle. A particularly striking part of the display relates to the family burial crypt: visitors can see the 16th-century funerary plaque of the count's wife, Sabina, a plaque commemorating the rediscovery of the crypt in 1804, the embalmed hearts of Lamoral and his sons Charles and Philip, and 3D-printed reproductions of the skulls of Egmont and his wife. Since 1984, the former town hall has also housed a shrine containing a fragment of Lamoral's cervical vertebra.

Which artworks are part of the collection?

Two paintings depicting Egmont stand out among the exhibits. The first, "Last Honours to Egmont and Horne," was painted in 1882 by Louis Gallait. The second, showing Egmont Castle in the village of Egmond aan den Hoef, dates from around 1570 and was created by the Dutch master Gillis De Saen.

Where is the Egmont Museum located and how do you visit it?

The museum occupies part of the former town hall building at Markt 1 in the historic centre of Zottegem. Given its modest size, the exhibition is intimate in character, and a visit typically takes no more than a short stop of ten to thirty minutes. Access to the room follows the opening hours of the town hall, so it is worth checking current details with the local tourist information point before visiting.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to the Egmont Museum free? The museum is a small, local exhibition housed inside an administrative building, so it is best to plan a visit together with a stop at the town hall and to confirm current arrangements with Zottegem's tourist information office beforehand.

What else is worth seeing besides the museum? Zottegem, known locally as "Egmont City," also has the remains of Egmont Castle and statues honouring the count, both of which can be visited during the same walk through the town centre.

Who is this attraction for? The Egmont Museum will appeal mainly to visitors interested in the history of the Low Countries and the religious wars of the 16th century, as well as to travellers passing through Zottegem who want to better understand the town's local historical background.