Located in the main square of Brussels, the Brussels City Museum allows us to learn about the history of the city of Brussels, its development from the past to the present and to see the artistic works such as paintings and sculptures that have emerged during this period.
Opened in 1887, the museum is housed in a building known as Maison du Roi (House of the King) or Broodhuis (Bread House or Bread House). One of the two magnificent buildings in the square, the museum’s history can be deduced from its old names.
In the 13th century, the wooden building was used as a bread market, but in the 15th century, the Duke of Brabant had a prestigious building built in the place of the bread market, which was located directly opposite the town hall, a symbol of his power and symbolizing the independence of the city, and began to rule the country from here. Destroyed in the 16th century, it was rebuilt in the 19th century in the Gothic style.
The Brussels City Museum has collected everything in the name of history, from the city’s historical and cultural symbols to reflect the history of Brussels. Along with the donations, finds from archaeological excavations have also increased the historical depth of the city. In the museum, we also see archaeological finds such as column capitals and altar pieces.
The museum has small models of the early city. You can visualize what the city looked like, see the walls and gates around it and imagine what it was like. Today’s European capital was just a few patches of land back then. When it started to develop, regular streets and side-by-side houses started to be built.
On the ground floor of the museum you can see the porcelain sets, pewter and carpets with pictures about the kingdom that were very famous in the Middle Ages.
The Manneken Pis statue, the symbol of the city of Brussels, also has its own room. In this room you can see the statues dressed in about 100 different costumes. An extraordinary room with official and unofficial costumes from all over the world. The statue closest to us is the one on the bottom left, wearing an Ottoman costume. You can search on an interactive screen and learn the details of the uniform.
The original statue of Manneken Pis was on the fountain where it was supposed to be until 1965, but after an attempt to steal it, it was handed over to the museum and a replica was placed on the fountain. The statue was broken below the knee. The original statue was restored and opened to visitors in 2003.
What are the entrance fee and opening hours of the Brussels City Museum?
Entrance to the Brussels City Museum is paid. If you have a Brussels Card city card, you can enter for free. Brussels City Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. It is closed on Mondays.
Where is the Brussels City Museum?
The Brussels City Museum is a Gothic-style building located opposite the town hall when you reach the Grote Markt square in the center of the Old Town of Brussels.
