Museums and art centres

The museums and art centres from and at the City of Brussels.

Maquette Brussels

The history of Brussels with all its drama and glory is illustrated at the King's House (Maison du Roi - Broodhuis). Fine arts and masterpieces that contributed to the fame and reputation of the city are exhibited in the museum: paintings, altarpieces, faience and above all an exceptional collection of Brussels tapestries and the original statue of Manneken-Pis.

GardeRobe MannekenPis © E. Laurent

The newest museum in Brussels shows the Wardrobe of Manneken-Pis. The tradition to dress Manneken-Pis goes back to the 17th century. Today, the collection consists of more than 1,000 costumes from around the world.

Costume and Lace Museum © E. Laurent

The Fashion & Lace Museum (formerly the Costume and Lace Museum) preserves remarkable pieces of fashion history. Most attention is paid to Brussels and Belgian creations. The collections are displayed in the context of annual thematic exhibitions. Lots of pieces in lace and textiles are shown as well.

Sewers Museum

The sewers network under the city is about 350 km long, with thousands of cubic meters of wastewater passing each day. The museum invites visitors on an unusual journey through what is hidden beneath the city but indispensable day after day.

Virtual visit to the Sewer Museum:

Bruxella 1238

Under the Bourse, you can visit a space where time travel is possible: Bruxella 1238. It retraces a millennium of Brussels' history. This archaeological site shows the remains of the former Franciscan convent, that was built on the site during the first half of the 13th century. It includes the burial place of Duke John I of Brabant.

External site Bourse - Beurs - Bruxella 1238

Coudenberg © Johan Dehon

Since the 12th century, the princely buildings on the Koudenberg were overlooking Brussels. This architectural ensemble would become one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe. Emperor Charles made it one of his main palaces. During a fire in 1731, the palace became badly damaged. Forty years later, the ruins were demolished to make way for the present Royal Quarter. At the archaeological site you can see the remains of the disappeared palace.

Centrale for contemporary art © Johan Dehon

The Centrale, open since 2006, is the Centre for Contemporary Art of the City. It wants to allow the widest possible audience to discover contemporary creations in the visual arts. In addition to major exhibitions there is also room for new talent in the Centrale.box and the Centrale.lab, where young artists from Brussels get the opportunity to organize their first private exhibition.

MAD Brussels, in a beautiful 3.000 m2 building in the Dansaert quarter, is regarded as the Brussels centre for fashion and design. Through its activities (exhibitions, workshops, lectures, projects, seminars, sales,...) and the assistance provided to companies and designers from both sectors, Brussels ensures its place among the European fashion and design capitals.

The City of Brussels is home to (and sometimes subsidizes) more than 200 museums, art centres and galleries. More information about all these other museums:

The schedule of exhibitions in the Brussels Capital Region:

List of the Museums of the City of Brussels

MuseumAddress
Sewer MuseumPavillons d'Octroi - Porte d'Anderlecht - 1000 Bruxelles
Archives of the City of BrusselsRue des Tanneurs 65 - 1000 Bruxelles
Coudenberg PalacePlace des Palais 7 - 1000 Bruxelles
GardeRobe MannekenPisRue du Chêne 19 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxella1238Rue de la Bourse - 1000 Bruxelles
Textile BoxRue de la Violette 12 - 1000 Bruxelles
Museum of the City of BrusselsGrand-Place - 1000 Bruxelles
Fashion & Lace MuseumRue de la Violette 12 - 1000 Bruxelles

Map of the Museums of the City of Brussels

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Museums and art centres
Museum of the City of Brussels