Forging Weekend

In the beginning, there was flint...

Blacksmithing is as old as time. Even before metal was used, there were already flint smiths. They fashioned sharp objects from flint, such as knives, axes, and plowshares. Later, blacksmiths made these objects from bronze, and then from iron and steel.

An Old Workshop

The medieval smithy at Museumpark Archeon consists of a workshop and an ox barn. The building is a free interpretation of 14th-century smithies, constructed using authentic medieval building materials: old wood from a French farmhouse and monastery bricks from a Dutch archaeological site. The walls are coated with yellow clay, which is typical of the southern Netherlands.

To Each His Own Specialty

This blacksmith makes items needed for construction, such as iron fittings, nails, knives, and decorative objects. He does not make weapons; for that, you have to go to the armorer. The (general) blacksmith also did not make horseshoes; that was the farrier’s job. Thus, every blacksmith had his own specialization and his own guild.

Visit the blacksmithing weekend at Museumpark Archeon and learn all about the blacksmith’s work through the centuries.

Free admission with the Museum Card and Friends Lottery VIP Card.
Program subject to change.

Reserve your visit here.