Museum of the Playing Card – All the Aces of Card History

Discover why Belgium’s Museum of the Playing Card holds all the aces when it comes to card history.

A royal flush of culture in Turnhout

Whether you’re fascinated by design, industrial history, or just love a good deck, the Museum of the Playing Card in Turnhout delivers a fun, quirky, hands-on experience. Here you can discover centuries of artistry, printing marvels, steam-powered presses, fascinating exhibitions, and family fun. It was recently visited and photographed by Discovering Belgium’s roving reporter Herman Vandecauter. His conclusion?

So shuffle your plans – especially if it’s too hot or too rainy while you’re on your summer vacation in Belgium – and head over to Turnhout.

Shuffle through the presses

Nestled in a former industrial building in Turnhout – Belgium’s “playing card capital” – the Museum of the Playing Card invites visitors to explore over 400 years of playing card history. From ornate Renaissance decks to quirky propaganda cards from wartime, it’s a visual and cultural feast.

The trump card

The museum’s centerpiece is its authentic collection of printing machinery, including hand-operated, lithographic, and steam-driven presses.

Twice monthly, they fire up the antique presses – paper shaping to card glossing – turning history into performance for €1 demo prints you can take home.

Other highlights are:

• “5 of Hearts” Permanent Exhibit: Dive into the darker side of cards: religious controversies, fortune-telling, advertising, and even how kings were removed during revolutions like that of Louis XVI.
• Rare and curious items: See treasures like a 1567 dragon-themed deck; a 1743 printing of Hoog “Whist” by Edmond Hoyle; and the museum’s first 100% metal press.
• Cardboard weapons: Learn how playing cards were used for propaganda and instruction during the First World War – an odd but gripping reflection on “powerful toys.”
• Cards in the media: Sometimes with gruesome consequences:

Where cards go digital

After soaking up the historical intrigue of the “5 of Hearts” gallery, it’s time to step into the future – literally. In the Room of the Future, tradition meets technology in an experience that’s anything but old-fashioned. Designed in collaboration with Cartamundi, Turnhout’s own global powerhouse in playing cards and board games, this room invites visitors to explore the “next generation of card play”. Here, you can:

• Test drive card game apps on interactive screens
• Challenge your memory in digital games
• Browse a cloud-shaped timeline, tracing the evolution of cards into the digital age
• Strike a pose in costume and snap the most original, Instagram-worthy selfies
• Compete in a digital quiz with friends or family for bragging rights

Think “family fun meets futuristic innovation.” It’s all about showing that while playing cards have a rich and noble history, their future is just as exciting, and maybe even a little virtual.

Exhibit zones and workshops

There are also a number of hands-on activities such as interactive workshops and creative play for kids. And temporary exhibitions cover topics such as rotating themes such as “Card Players in Art” or playful nods to regional printing heritage.

Planning your visit

• Opening hours: Tue–Fri: 10:00–17:00; Sat–Sun: 11:00–17:00; closed: Mondays & Dec 25–Jan 1.
• Admission: Adults: €5, concessions: €3, under 18s: Free. Also note that on Thursdays in July and  August, admission is free, with a 14:00 printing demo. If that’s not all, your admission ticked includes a deck of cards – how’s that for value?
• Location: Druivenstraat 18, 2300 Turnhout. Free onsite parking, ramp access ensures wheelchair-accessibility. A short walk from Turnhout station, passing through the scenic market square.
• More information: The museum’s website.

Full house

The Museum of the Playing Card isn’t just for card collectors – it’s a fascinating journey through industrial heritage, art, culture, and playful invention. Whether you’re fascinated by design, industrial history, or just love a good deck, the Museum of the Playing Card in Turnhout delivers a quirky, hands-on experience that’s great for a rainy – or overly hot – summer afternoon. So whether you’re a Queen of Hearts or a total Joker, deal yourself in and enjoy a winning hand at the Museum of the Playing Card.

Where to stay in Turnhout

Why not spend a weekend in Turnhout and visit other sites such as the Dukes of Brabant Castle, the 14th century beguinage, or the Taxandria Museum? If so, here are some outstanding B&Bs in Turnhout:

• Logies De Hessie, Heizijde 108, 2300 Turnhout: “Absolutely loved the stay – the hosts are incredibly attentive and pleasant. The property itself is meticulously maintained, in a quiet location.”
• Ikigai B&B, 109 Draaiboom, 2360 Oud-Turnhout: “Super-friendly hosts who take a lot of pride in their B&B. A real joy to stay with them! I would recommend this place to everybody.”
• B&B De Joker, Glazeniersstraat 37, 2300 Turnhout: “Lovely B&B with very friendly hosts. Wonderful & rich breakfast served in the dining room. Nice apartment (separate entry) with a small kitchen.”
• B&B Caramel, Winkel 45, 2300 Turnhout: “It was exceptionally clean, well appointed and comfortable. Friendly host.”

To find other accommodation in Turnhout, feel free to use the link below:

P.S. Check my list of other museums in Belgium to visit!

Denzil Walton

I created Discovering Belgium in 2011 to share the country’s hidden stories, fascinating places, and remarkable people. Through articles, photography, and audio walks, I share discoveries that reveal Belgium beyond the obvious. Hope you enjoy this site.