Royal Museums of Art and History
The Royal Museums of Art and History include museums: Museum of Art and History, Museum of Musical Instruments, and Porte de Hal. Together they constitute one of ten federal scientific institutions. They have one of the largest and most diverse art collections in Belgium. These three museums are full of works of art and objects from different continents of the world, dating from prehistory to the present day.
Museum of Art and History
Here you can see national archaeological artifacts from the Merovingian era, as well as finds from Egypt and the Middle East. Among the stars of the collection are Egyptian sarcophagi, large floor mosaics from Apamea and a model of ancient Rome.
Particularly famous is the collection of pre-Columbian art and the colossal statue from Easter Island, acquired during a scientific expedition in 1934. The collection also includes examples of European decorative art from the Romanesque period to Art Deco. Equally interesting are the liturgical treasures and tapestries from the Meuse Valley.
Particularly famous is the collection of pre-Columbian art and the colossal statue from Easter Island, acquired during a scientific expedition in 1934. The collection also includes examples of European decorative art from the Romanesque period to Art Deco. Equally interesting are the liturgical treasures and tapestries from the Meuse Valley.
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Address:
Parc du Cinquantenaire 10
1000 Brussels |
Opening hours:
Tuesday-Friday: 9:30-17:00
Saturday, Sunday: 10:00-17:00 |
Fare: 10 euros
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Museum of Musical Instruments
The museum is housed in a beautiful glass building, designed in 1899 by Paul Saintenoy. In the past, the Old England department store was located here. . An impressive building made of glass and iron is covered with fancy domes.
On 3,000 meters of exhibition space, a collection of approximately 1,200 exhibits. The beginnings of the museum collection date back to the 19th century, when the state purchased 80 antique and exotic instruments. In 1876, this number doubled when King Leopold II donated to the museum 97 Indian instruments that he had received from the maharaja. The museum's greatest attractions include prototypes of instruments by Adolf Sax, the Belgian inventor of the saxophone from Dinant.
On 3,000 meters of exhibition space, a collection of approximately 1,200 exhibits. The beginnings of the museum collection date back to the 19th century, when the state purchased 80 antique and exotic instruments. In 1876, this number doubled when King Leopold II donated to the museum 97 Indian instruments that he had received from the maharaja. The museum's greatest attractions include prototypes of instruments by Adolf Sax, the Belgian inventor of the saxophone from Dinant.
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Address: Montagne de la Cour 2
B-1000 Brussels |
Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday: 9:30-17:00
Saturday, Sunday: 10:00-17:00 |
Fare:
15 euros
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Porte de Hal
The building stands on the northwestern edge of the working-class district Marolles, on the border Petit Ringu, at Boulevard du Midi. This is the only preserved fragment of the second defensive wall of Brussels. The building, which was built in 1381, served successively as a grain warehouse, a Lutheran church, and a prison.
The architect Henri Beyaert rebuilt part of the gate in 1868-1870. Raw the medieval tower was redesigned in neo-Gothic style. In front of the inner gate he added a round tower topped with a conical roof and a monumental spiral staircase. Originally, the structure had grates and a drawbridge over the moat. Currently renovated in the neo-Gothic style, it belongs to the Royal Museum. From the top of the tower there is a beautiful view of the capital's panorama.
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Address:
Boulevard du Midi 150
1000 Brussels |
Opening hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9:30-17:00
Saturday, Sunday: 10:00-18:00 |
Fare: 7 euros
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Far East Museum
The Far Eastern Museum included: La Tour Japonaise (the Japanese pagoda), the Pavillon Chinois (the Chinese pavilion) and the Musée d'Art Japonais (the Museum of Japanese Art), which had a unique collection of Oriental prints and Chinese porcelain in Europe.
Unfortunately, this wonderful museum is currently closed to visitors. The poor technical condition of the buildings constructed in the last century made it necessary to renovate them. Part of the Chinese porcelain collection can be admired at the Museum of Art and History, formerly known as the Cinquantenaire Museum.
Unfortunately, this wonderful museum is currently closed to visitors. The poor technical condition of the buildings constructed in the last century made it necessary to renovate them. Part of the Chinese porcelain collection can be admired at the Museum of Art and History, formerly known as the Cinquantenaire Museum.
Japanese pagoda
After the Universal Exposition in Paris in 1900, King Leopold II decided to decorate the park near his estate with buildings characteristic of Far Eastern architecture. The task of creating the design was given to the French architect Alexander Marcel. The first to be built was the Japanese pagoda . The work was carried out by Belgian companies, but the 40-metre-high building was assembled without nails according to traditional Japanese techniques. To maintain the authentic style, most of the decorations, both inside and out, were made in Japan.
Work began in 1901. Three years later, the pagoda was ready. Its inauguration took place on May 6, 1905. In 1909, the king abandoned the idea of creating a museum here, and the building was entrusted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Until the First World War it was open to visitors. In 1922 it was assigned to the Ministry of Arts and Sciences. In 1947 the building was closed to visitors. It was not until 1989 that it was made available to the general public again. Japanese The pagoda collected exhibits related to Japanese culture and art. A garden in the same style was arranged around the building.
Work began in 1901. Three years later, the pagoda was ready. Its inauguration took place on May 6, 1905. In 1909, the king abandoned the idea of creating a museum here, and the building was entrusted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Until the First World War it was open to visitors. In 1922 it was assigned to the Ministry of Arts and Sciences. In 1947 the building was closed to visitors. It was not until 1989 that it was made available to the general public again. Japanese The pagoda collected exhibits related to Japanese culture and art. A garden in the same style was arranged around the building.
Chinese pavilion
Alexander Marcel he also designed Chinese pavilion. The king intended it to be a luxurious restaurant for entrepreneurs who wanted to establish trade relations with China. Construction work began in 1903, but was stopped in 1905. It was not until 1909 that construction of the building was resumed. The work was completed in 1913. The pavilion owes its external appearance to panels imported from Shanghai. In 1921, the management of the pavilion was entrusted Royal Museum of Art and History. Over the years it has gathered a wonderful collection of Chinese porcelain.
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Address:
Avenue Van Praet 44
1020 Brussels |
Attention !!!:
Museum under renovation, closed for safety reasons. Part of the exhibition can be seen in Museum of Art and History.
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