Museum De Vier Quartieren

The Museum de Vier Quartieren ( the Four Quarters) is located in the historic center of Oirschot, behind the basilica. A visit to the museum gives you a lasting memory of beautiful and pleasant Brabant.

History of the building

The Museum de Vier Quartieren is housed in a historic building, the former deanery. The dean, head of the Chapter of Oirschot, lived there in the early 17th century. After 1648, it became a private residence. In 1971, it was declared uninhabitable, but three families still lived there.

The Chapter of Oirschot

The Chapter consisted of a maximum of eleven canons: clergymen who lived according to a specific rule—the Canonical Regulation. The Chapter was responsible for church life and education, and cared for the poor. Singing and prayers were held in the chapter church. Tasks were assigned in the chapter house of the deanery. Canons did not live in a monastery, but in chapter houses, and owned their own property. In the early 19th century, the Chapter was dissolved; its funds had run out.

History of the museum

Several private collectors of antique and religious objects bought the dilapidated house and converted it into the De Vier Quartieren museum. It opened in 1976. Other collections were added. In 1998, it was completely restored, and the barn was added. The deanery house was preserved as much as possible. In 2019, the museum was completely refurbished; the emphasis is on objects from the period 1850-1900.

Exhibition The Eye of Vincent

The new experiential exhibition 'The Eye of Vincent' tells the story of life in an Oirschot farming family in the past, through the eyes of the famous painter Vincent van Gogh. The museum shows you how sustainably our ancestors dealt with food and energy. We can smell and taste the dishes, peel the potatoes, touch the fabric of the clothes and experience what it was like to sleep in a box bed. The unique objects in the museum's collection fit in seamlessly with Van Gogh's reproductions

The special thing is: in this museum you can do more than just look. Opening, adjusting, feeling, it's all possible. Discover it in Museum de Vier Quartieren. Children are also very welcome. And there are hospitable volunteers who will happily tell you everything about the collection.