Het Toreke

Het Toreke is a municipal museum in Tienen, in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant, housed in a former city prison on the Grote Markt. The building was designed by architect François Drossaert, who also designed Tienen's town hall, and dates from 1848. It served as a transit prison from 1847 to 1972: the idea of building a new prison had first been raised at the town council meeting of June 22, 1833, envisioned as a facility from which convicts would be escorted by the national guard to central institutions, while also holding people sentenced by the police courts of the two Tienen cantons and the canton of Glabbeek. After the prison closed, the building was converted into a city museum, which opened to visitors in 1978.

What can visitors see at Het Toreke?

The core of the collection consists of Roman finds discovered around Tienen. The museum presents the results of the largest archaeological site in the Benelux: the Gallo-Roman treasures unearthed at Grijpenveld in Tienen. The ground floor displays "everyday" Roman artifacts, including a Mithras temple, a Roman sword (gladius), and sculptures of gods such as Mercury. The basement holds grave finds, well presented for visitors, while the upper floor is dedicated to the city's more recent history, focused mainly on the two world wars.

What story does the museum tell about Tienen?

The exhibition guides visitors through the city's history, from the Roman-era vicus (settlement) to present-day Tienen. It spans thousands of years, combining archaeology with regional local history from the 16th to the 20th century.

What temporary exhibition is currently on display?

The museum currently hosts a temporary exhibition titled "Doodgewoon" ("Commonplace"), composed of two parts: "Rituals of Death" and "Rituals of Life." The exhibition connects Roman funerary rites with a broader reflection on the presence of death and life in culture.

Frequently asked questions

What was the building before it became a museum? It was a city prison, in use from 1847 to 1972, designed by architect François Drossaert.

When did the museum open? The municipal museum has occupied the building since 1978.

What are the most important exhibits? Roman artifacts from Grijpenveld — including a Mithras temple, a gladius, and sculptures of gods — along with grave finds and items relating to the city's 20th-century history.

Where is Het Toreke located? On the Grote Markt in the center of Tienen, in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant.

Does the museum have temporary exhibitions? Yes, it currently hosts "Doodgewoon," an exhibition on the rituals of death and life.