Oeteldonks Gemintemuzejum

The carnival festivities in Oeteldonk, which is the name given to ‘s-Hertogenbosch during carnival, are more than mere celebrations. The yearly feasts, which date back to 1882, even have their own museum! The friendly Oeteldonks Gemintemuzejum is since 2001 housed in the renovated gateway building of the medieval Sisters of Orthen Convent. It enjoys an idyllic location in the shade of St. John's and situated in a beautiful courtyard next to the inner city stream known as the Binnendieze. Visitors to the museum are introduced to anything and everything that has to do with the carnival including masks, costumes, promotion materials, weapons and shields and its highlight, a 3m-tall Peruvian hat. In short, it's a colourful collection on two floors. As one of the museum’s attendants put it: 'Upon visiting people realise that carnival is much more than drinking beer and chasing women'. Too bad.