8 hidden gems in Brussels
These are the kind of museums where you won’t have to queue up for to get in, however they’d be worth it!
Erasmus House and Beguinage of Anderlecht
Since the 13th century the smallest and cosiest beguinage of Belgium is located at Anderlecht. Surrounded by picturesque houses you’ll be tempted to lose time out of sight in this tantalizing time capsule, while the philosophical garden is an explicit invitation for contemplation and dialogue with the self. Save some time for the Erasmus House itself as well, where the famous humanistic philosopher stayed for about 5 months, and that accommodates today a few absolute masterpieces. Not too mention the original writings and editions by the humanist!
ARGOS
From a medieval beguinage to a center about the history of Belgian film and video art: we’re not shy of a major leap in time. Much more than an exhibition hall, ARGOS offers superb retrospectives, and in a former industrial warehouse, moving from one screen to another will capture your full attention.
Coudenberg
This one’s quite underground. And when we’re talking about the old vestiges of the former palace of Charles V we’re not aiming for the groovy kind of underground. Underneath Place Royale, the square that connects several famous Brussels museums, there’s a hidden palace dating from the 12th century. However the remnants of the former glory receive no sunlight anymore, there’s still some sort of splendour and wealth noticeable. Absolute standout is the mid-15th century Aula Magna, what once was an enormous hall built upon the request of Duke of Burgundy Philip the Good. The banquet hall was the set for several milestones in our history, such as the declaration of majority of age and abdication of Charles V, respectively in 1515 and 1555. Pure Belgian and European history that’s certain to dazzle every aspiring archaeologist.
Wiertz Museum
Romantic painter and sculptor Antoine Wiertz created powerful scenes and seemingly effortlessly matched his own role models of the Renaissance and Baroque. A clear-cut example of a museum that’s just wrongly forgotten. Get lost or inspired among the dozen of paintings reminiscent of glorious (artistic) days.
Autrique House
Engineer Eugène Autrique ordered this house in 1893 with his friend Victor Horta. The latter signed for a typical Art Nouveau stronghold: meticulously finished spaces decorated with mosaics, sgraffiti and shaped with organic curves illuminated with an abundance of natural light. As you can imagine already, the mansion is a testimony of pure class. The original resident, an avid map collector, deserves his own room for commemoration.
La Fonderie
Located in a former bronze factory, La Fonderie was once the hub of the nerve centre of Brussels’ industry. In the enriching melting pot Molenbeek – once known as “the Manchester of Belgium” – lies an unfortunately well concealed testimony of a not so distant industrial past. The absolute crown piece of this Museum of Industry and Labour is the weaving loom passementerie De Backer
René Magritte Museum (and Museum of Abstract Art)
Even for locals, this one’s still confusing at times: in addition to the Magritte Museum there’s another museum dedicated to the surrealist painting prodigy Brussels is proud to call his own. The René Magritte Museum is located in the Brussels municipality of Jette, where Magritte resided for 24 years and had his own studio. Attached to his former house you’ll find the Museum of Abstract Art, a movement that is closely linked to the work of the painter.
Museum of the Black Sisters
This museum is located at a unique location in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg. The church in Art Deco style is the 5th largest in the world and the top leads to a marvelous overview of Brussels. Equally remarkable is the art itself, of course, as it offers a multidisciplinary and wide variety of Flemish paintings, sculptures and objects for daily use from furniture to crockery.
