Since 1792, the building that now houses Bakery Museum Mendels has been used as a bakery. The place became a national monument and is well preserved. From an authentic bakery shop to the workshop with peat oven and centuries-old bakery tools, you really stap back in time here.
The oven that breathes history
The last baker to bake bread in this national monument was Hendrikus Mendels. Although the bakery museum and teahouse reopened in 2024, it still bears that name. Mendels was known for his rye bread, baked in an oven fired with faggots and peat. In 1960, he had to choose between modernising or closing down, and chose the latter.
Because the building is a national monument, almost everything has been kept intact. So you enter a beautiful bakery shop complete with an old counter and bread boxes from families in the area. Macaroons, butter biscuits and king's bread: on the shelves, you can admire the old bins that contained all the goodies. And if you walk a little further, you will enter the baker's old workshop. Here you can see the wood- and peat-fired oven and below it the proofing cabinet, as well as other bakery tools such as an old biscuit machine and almond mortar. Above the shop and workshop in the attic, you can see even more old bakery equipment.
Tea house with garden
After walking through the beautiful little museum, there is a teahouse at the back of the building. And you won't find any Ikea furniture or crockery here either: everything is done in authentic style. Pick a nice tea from the extensive tea menu, which has been put together by a real tea sommelier. The tea is served in characteristic crockery collected from thrift shops. And don't forget to order a pastry. Owner Wendelin bakes all the pastries herself, continuing the bakery tradition in this building after all. Are you hungrier? You can also have lunch here, including sandwiches, quiche or an organic meatball.
When the weather is nice, the place is a delight. In the castle garden, you can sit in the shade of the trees or pick a spot in the sun. You can hear the carillon of St Hippolytus Church chime in the background, completing the picture.
Shop
When you've had your fill and are done sipping tea, also take a look in the bakery museum's little shop. Here you will find all kinds of fun things for your home. From colourful crockery, to baking mixes to get started yourself and, of course, all kinds of delicious tea.
