BRUSSELS MUSEUMS: THOSE YOU MUST SEE
Brussels museums. Which ones should you visit to discover the capital of Belgium starting from its works of art and artists?
In the post dedicated to Flemish painting: a tour among the masterpieces of Flanders I made a list of Flemish masterpieces you can admire in Brussels, but now I want to make a list of its beautiful museums you should visit.
If you’re looking for inspiration for what to see during your next trip to Brussels, you’re in the right place. Here is where to go.
Brussels museums and monuments to see
This is the list of the museums to see in Brussels. Which ones have you visited yet and which ones would you like to see?
If you’ve already been to Brussels and you have visited a museum which is not included in this list but you think it is unmissable, write in your comments.
ROYALS MUSEUMS OF FINE ARTS OF BELGIUM
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium comprise four museums: the Fin-de-Siècle Museum, the Magritte Museum, the Old Masters Museum and the Modern Museum. They are all very important because each one is dedicated to a specific historic period and each one is the continuation of other.
They house artworks of Flemish masters and Surrealism, objects and paintings from Art Nouveau period and especially a section completely devoted to Magritte, one of Belgium’s most famous artists and the famous painting ‘The Death of Marat’ by David.
The Meunier Museum and the Wiertz Museum are part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium too, but are located in independent buildings and I’ll talk about them individually.
MEUNIER MUSEUM
The Museum is the house and studio of painter and sculptor Constantin Meunier (1831-1905), who described the social and industrial evolution of Belgium in the19th century.
The objects and works on display show the evolution of the artist, who through its work influenced Realist art in the first decades of the 20th century.
MIMA MUSEUM
Inside a former brewery is the most spectacular museum in Brussels.
The works exhibited at the Mima Museum include street art, graphics, sport, music and art. It is an innovative museum and certainly worth visiting, because through its four floors it offers more than a visit a real artistic experience.
The MIMA museum also houses an art shop, a restaurant and two vantage points from which to admire the beauty of the Brussels canal.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS MUSEUM
Located in an Art Nouveau building, this museum houses and displays a collection of over 7000 musical instruments from every epoch. The museum has four floors and from the rooftop terrace you can enjoy the most beautiful view of the historic centre of Brussels.
ART AND HISTORY MUSEUM
Built on the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence, thanks to King Leopold II, the Museum of Art and History has 600 thousand artifacts and art objects from all over the world, but it also has a rich program of exhibitions throughout the year.
It is one of the largest European museums of its kind in which one can observe the artistic treasures and archaeological discoveries of the five continents.
COMICS ART MUSEUM
Tintin is the most important Belgian comic strip hero, but comic strips tradition has always been the jewel in the crown of the city as well as the whole Country.
The Museum celebrates Belgian comic strips (called “bandes dessinées”) and their well-known comic book illustrators.
HORTA MUSEUM
The private house of Victor Horta allows visitors to see how one of the main exponents of Art Nouveau style lived and worked. He designed the most important buildings in Brussels such as the Palace of Fine Arts, the Comics Art Museum, or the Musical Instruments Museum.
Musei dei Belle Arti, Bruxelles
BRUSSELS MUSEUMS: TICKETS TO BOOK AND TOURS TO TRY
If you want to visit the museums in Brussels, I suggest you book your tickets in advance.
When I was there I never found long queues at the ticket offices but I think it was a matter of luck. I visited the city in October, which is not a tourist period, but I think that at other times of the year the rows are much longer.
In addition, I suggest you to combine a visit to the museums with a tour of the city.