Provinciaal Archeologisch Museum Velzeke, Archaeological museum in Velzeke, Belgium.
The Provinciaal Archeologisch Museum Velzeke is an archaeological museum in Zottegem that displays Roman and early medieval artifacts found in the region. The collection includes jewelry, coins, tools, pottery, and household items discovered during excavations on and around the museum grounds.
The museum opened in 1972 and by 1986 was housed at Paddestraat in Velzeke as the Archeologisch Museum van Zuid-Oost-Vlaanderen. A second wing was inaugurated in 1992, when the province of East Flanders became co-responsible and the name changed to Provinciaal Archeologisch Museum van Zuid-Oost-Vlaanderen. A new wing with a heritage depot was added in 2016, and in 2018 the institution continued as the Provinciaal Archeocentrum Velzeke.
The permanent exhibition shows everyday life through finds from the region, including a Roman silver hoard from Everbeek. A gold Merovingian disc brooch from the Beerlegem cemetery, added to the Flemish Masterpieces List in 2023, is part of the collection. Temporary shows and theme tours treat individual subjects in depth.
The museum is easiest to visit Tuesday through Friday during full daytime hours, or on weekends in the afternoon. Guided tours can be arranged in advance for a deeper experience and more detailed explanation of the collections.
The museum grounds sit at the crossing of two ancient Roman roads, making it a location of particular historical importance. Ongoing excavations regularly uncover new artifacts, constantly expanding understanding of past settlement patterns.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,572 contributors worldwide.