Porte de Hal, Musical Instruments Museum & Cinquantenaire Art & History Museum
Also Read: Top 10+ Unusual Museums in Brussels; Belgian Museum pass - MuseumPASSmusées; Brussels Travel Guide
HALLE GATE MUSEUM (PORTE DE HAL)
One of the 3 is Porte de Hal! It looks like a place straight out of a Disney movie but in the middle of a city! At first look, it looks like a castle, however, it’s a part of the city wall and this served as a gate. This is the only surviving gate! The first wall was built in 13th C and was 4km long. The second wall was 8km built during the 14th C. This wall had 7 gates and Porte de Hal was one of those. It was originally 23m high and had a moat all around it. By the 17th C, the wall ceased to be functional and the gates were used for various purposes including a granary, church, prison, etc.In 1868, under architect Hendrik Beyaert this became a museum, which gave this place a fairy-tale castle-like appearance with neo-gothic features! Today it has 4 floors of which the topmost is a play area for kids, and the 3rd is a temporary exhibition area. The permanent exhibitions are on the 1st & 2nd floors. The 1st floor showcases both the history of the Second Wall as well as some armory. The 2nd floor is all about the various powerful guilds of Belgium that once existed.
The view from atop is stunning. The best part - both Koekelberg Basilica and Atomium were visible (on either end of the 3rd last pic above!). The Palais du Justice is very close by indeed. Go on a sunny day or at least, a non-rainy day to enjoy the view.
Here's an extra tip: If you're here if young kids, just beside Porte de Hal, is a fantastic playground drawing inspiration from the architecture of Porte de Hal itself! The whole playground is castle-like and filled with multiple Parcours activities, swings, climbing areas, a sand pit & more! It is super fun for kids and is one of the best playgrounds in Brussels!!!
Where is Porte de Hal Playground for Children (On Google Maps): Speeltuin Jürgen Bergman
How to reach Porte de Hal (Halle Gate Museum): The nearest metro stop is Porte de Hal which is connect by STIB Metro Lines M2 & M6. The museum is right there over the metro stop! The nearest railway station is Gare du Midi which is about 700m (9 mins walk) away.
Porte de Hal (Halle Gate Museum) Tickets: €7-€10 depending on the temporary exhibition happening there. It is NOT possible to buy permanent exhibition tickets alone if a temporary exhibition is happening there! (Free with MuseumPASSmusées & Brussels Card)
Porte de Hal (Halle Gate Museum) Timings: Mon-Thu: 9:30AM to 05:00PM; Weekend: 10:00AM to 05:00PM; Closed on Fridays
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS MUSEUM
The 2nd museum under RMAH is the Musical Instruments Museum. This has a rather interesting history. If you're an Indian reading this, guess what, the roots of this museum begin with us! The Museum was originally set up in 1877. The primary reason was that in 1876, Rajah Sourindro Mohun Tagore gifted 100 musical instruments from India to King Leopold II (yes, this Tagore is related to Rabindranath Tagore but was a few generations before him). Looking at this collection, the famous Belgian musicologist François-Joseph Fétis requested to create a museum of those that he could curate himself, and thus began the existence of this museum. The museum is located inside a fantastic Art Noveau building, which was originally the Old England Departmental store, set up in 1899 by Paul Saintenoy.
The display is on 4 floors and we began from the topmost. This is dedicated to keyboards beginning centuries ago to now! The early 16th C Virginals were the most interesting for me, esp. the painted details on them! The most bejeweled one here was an upright piano which was a gift from Queen Marie-Henriette. There was also a replica of ancient Greek pottery about musical instruments. There were also some wind instruments which were really weird. The Serpent Chandelier of 1790-1810 was the weirdest of them all! Its origins are unknown but believed to be used in the medieval Gregorian Chants.
On the next floor were the western instruments from ages ago to now. The ceramic whistles were totally cute! The first floor is the most extensive floor. This has 3 sections - Belgian in the center, European to the left, and the rest of the world to the left. It is here that some of the original instruments by Rajah Sourindro Mohun Tagore are displayed. It is unfortunately not possible to handle any musical instruments, so it might be a bit boring for the children. However, if you're a group of about 10 people, it is possible to organize a guided tour which includes handling some instruments!
Where is the Musical Instruments Museum (On Google Maps): Musical Instruments Museum
How to reach Musical Instruments Museum: The nearest metro stops are Gare Centrale & Parc. The nearest railway station is Gare Centrale. Musical Instruments Museum is located 500m (6 mins walk) from Gare Centrale and 600m (8 mins walk) from Parc Metro.
Musical Instruments Museum Tickets: €15 (Free with MuseumPASSmusées & Brussels Card)
Musical Instruments Museum Timings: Tue-Fri: 9:30AM to 05:00PM; Weekend: 10:00AM to 05:00PM; Closed on Mondays
ART & HISTORY MUSEUM (CINQUANTENAIRE MUSEUM)
The other museum is the largest in Belgium and one of the largest in Europe called the Art & History Museum (prev. Cinquantenaire Museum of Art & History) located in the Cinquantenaire park where the Auto World is also located. Art & History Museum has primarily 2 wings - one which is more art-oriented and another which is more historically oriented, on multiple levels. I primarily explored the art-oriented wing, which began with a section just for heart and went ahead with a section for tapestries where I spent the most time. The best way for me to show around it is with this video! There was also a model loom to explain how the tapestry is woven. Other artistic displays included wooden altar sculptures, glassworks incl stained glass windows, crockery, etc.
This was followed by Roman Civilization with a 'huge' miniature model of Ancient Rome complete with a detailed video of how ancient Rome lived & functioned. There are also 4 life-sized videos of models depicting people from different social strata who lived & worked in ancient Rome.
The left wing has several sections dedicated to several locations around the world incl India, China, Nepal, Srilanka, Native America, South America, etc. Obviously, I headed first to the India section. The central feature of the India section is a dancing Nataraja of Chola Bronze Sculpture. There are some granite sculptures of Maha Vishnu, Ganesha, Shiva, etc. On either side are various sculptures of Buddhism (incl. Gandhara & Mathura styles of sculptures) and Jainism. There's also a glass showcase of small artifacts for smaller sculptures and items like comb, devotional objects like Deepalakshmi, etc.
The South-East Asian section also has various sculptures & artifacts of Hinduism & Buddhism and it is very educational to see how the 2 religions are depicted in very different ways in India & Indonesia! There's also a section for shadow puppetry here.
The Native American section also has an area dedicated to the Inuit. The central feature of this section of the Totem pole. There are videos of their devotional dances, livelihood in the midst of ice incl. the construction of an igloo!
Update 2022: Now that I have a MuseumPASSmusées, which includes the entry to Art & History Museum, I've been here several, several times!
Where is Cinquantenaire Art & History Museum (On Google Maps): Musée Art & Histoire
How to reach Cinquantenaire Art & History Museum: The nearest metro stop & railway station is Merode from where the museum if 600m (7 mins walk) away.
Cinquantenaire Art & History Museum Tickets: €10 (+ €6 if there's a temporary exhibition happening & you'd like to visit it too). Unlike Porte de Hal it is possible to buy tickets for only the Permanent Collection if you'd prefer not to visit the temporary exhibitions. - Free with MuseumPASSmusées & Brussels Card.
Cinquantenaire Art & History Museum Timings: Tue-Fri: 9:30AM to 05:00PM; Weekend: 10:00AM to 05:00PM; Closed on Mondays
YOUTUBE SHORTS AT CINQUANTENAIRE ART & HISTORY MUSEUM
VIDEO WALK-THROUGH OF CINQUANTENAIRE ART & HISTORY MUSEUM
Cinquantenaire Art & History Museum
Facade of Musical Instruments Museum
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Normally I am not very into museum but there are some that I find interesting and these ones especially the Cinquantenaire museum looks awesome! I could get lost in there and would get bored! The Instrument museum looks fun to. That Serpent chandelier!!
ReplyDeleteI meant I would never get bored if I got lost in there!😂
DeleteAmazing Museum. Beautiful pics.
ReplyDeleteThere are some really unique musical instruments in this museum! It's good to know that entry is free with the Brussels Card, I'll remember that. As always, some great photos to show the place too.
ReplyDeleteLove it! These all look so interesting! Sometimes museums can be really dry but these actually look fascinating, especially the music one. I'd love to see all the different musical instruments through history. How strange is the serpent chandalier! And the bone instruments from Tibet... I would never expect to find these in Belgium. Awesome post :)
ReplyDeleteI love roaming around such antiques and history. It is like time travel, the saddest part is the time crunch. I missed visiting this while in Brussels. Glad to see the displays here. So good that they allow photography.
ReplyDeleteI just love museum tours and this one is really interesting. So nice to see you take a tour with your little one. I am particularly intrigued by the archaeology section. Will bookmark this for my visit. Cheers!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a spectacular trio of museums! I'd definitely head to the musical instrument museum first- I find it so fascinating to see the various forms that objects took before their modern day versions. Plus, instruments made from human bone? I'd have to see them in person to believe it!
ReplyDeleteAs Brussels is city of museums, knowing you, this city must be in the list of your favorite one. Knowing that the ancestors of Rabindranath Tagore gifted 100 musical instruments here and they are on display gives a proud feeling. Good to know that this museum also have sections for Asian countries and I would also prefer to see India section.
ReplyDeleteThere was one really cool-looking elephant with a wide nose- I'm guessing it's a wind instrument of some sort? But I would love to see someone play that! Like, where does your mouth go? haha
ReplyDeleteI could spend hours in this museum!
Ever since watching the movie 'In Bruges' I've wanted to go here. As you mentioned, the architects there have given the place a fairy-tale look. I'm not majorly into museums but the architecture alone is fascinating and the musical instrument one looks pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the Porte de Hal actually looks like the building in the Disney logo!
ReplyDeleteHistory is always interesting to learn, and this was no exception. I've studied Belgium history, particularly its colonization of the Congo and I am not a fan of King Leopold II due to how brutal and inhumane he was so I wonder why he was gifted 100 musical instruments.
When I'm traveling I also happen to skip museums. I hate that! I love seeing your posts about museums because you truly capture the uniqueness of each exhibit. Definitely going to add this to my must-see list.
ReplyDeleteThese museums are really gorgeous. The nusocal mejseum is the highlight for me. Those instruments........ And the serpent chandelier got me laughing. I love the history behind these museums and it's a list visit. Your pictures are captivating. I'd watch the video as I've grown much interest in these musuems.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't help drooling for that gold necklace! Omg life previously is so rich! If there is IG during those days, i probably be staying at home, hahaha. The royal feeling is still overflowing in this museum.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh Belgium is on my bucket list and this looks like my husbands kind of heaven! He loves history and would love to visit this museum. And you weren't kidding- it does look like it is straight out of a Disney movie!
ReplyDeleteI have visited few museums in Brussels, but I have never been to the Porte de Hal. I wonder how could I miss it... Well, next time.
ReplyDeleteYou article on Royal Museums of Art & History with its fairy tale castle kind of appearance is excellent. I felt like I am visiting this historic museum. Its great to hear that the walls to this historic city was built in the 13th and 14th centuries. Its said that all except one gate does not exists now. Thank you very much for writing such an amazing article with really good snaps.
ReplyDeleteI love visiting museums especially in Europe as there are a lot of history and culture. This museum is no exception. I love that the architecture is so impressive that it makes it worth visiting in itself!!
ReplyDeletefantastic. Did not look like one of those boring museums. Really priceless items being displayed.
ReplyDeleteSo Staggering and beautiful artifacts kept here. This reminded me of my visit to the History and Art Museum that i saw in Delhi. Its amazing to see every bit of history in one place. Beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteThose musical instruments are intense! I can imagine myself lounging in that museum for hours on end. I, too, was a bit intrigued upon seeing those Tibetan instruments made of human bones!
ReplyDeleteReally cool post. You really do justice to the museums in your pictures and descriptions. Can't wait to visit someday
ReplyDeleteI wanted to visit a Musical museum so bad while visiting Brussels but I ran out of time :( My favourite is the Rene Magritte museum, it is more of a gallery but dedicated to this amazing artist :)
ReplyDeleteI am a die hard fan of music; hence the one I specifically am in love with out of the three is the Musical Instruments Museum. I however also liked your photograph from the top of the Porte de Hal. All the museums have some wonderful collections and I would love to visit them sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Belgium but not in Brussels. It's good to know about these museums. I think they are all interesting. I guess it's a good deal getting a Brussels card.
ReplyDeleteLiz Gen | fatmoments.com
Wonderful post. I had no clue Sourindro Mohon Tagore had such far-reaching influence. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting museum, and one I'd never thought of visiting before. I've definitely remember it when I'm back in Belgium. A fun fact-filled read for sure!
ReplyDeleteI dont really go to museums while I am traveling especially when its a short trip but I would love to see this one, because of the beautiful city gate ( which looks like a caste :)) And that Musical Instruments part seems so interesting! I love music so I would probably love everything there! Cant wait to visit Belgium one day!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I"m not as much into museums as I was 12 or 13 years ago when I spent my 1st year abroad in Western Europe (Italy) I think I went to so many museums during that year that I just got tapped out-now I prefer seeing one beautiful creation at a time-like David or a gorgeous historic building. But these museums all have so much history I can enjoy the outside as much as inside-and imagine all of the people over centuries going in and out (my favorite part!)
ReplyDeleteI just came from a TD jury so I find the warp-weft confusion totally hilarious :D
ReplyDeleteI thought I saw an Indian musical instrument while looking at the pictures of the Musical Instruments Museum. Rajah Sourindro Mohun Tagore gifted 100 musical instruments from India to King Leopold II...wow! That is so fascinating.
ReplyDeleteWow.. These are some pretty interesting museums to visit! I'm pretty intrigued with the Serpent Chandelier.. It looks very interesting.. I wonder how it was used as you've mentioned it was a wind instrument.. And those musical instruments made out from selected human bones.. People from long ago can be very fascinating and resourceful indeed. Overall, such an interesting post! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been in Brussels a few times but always for very short periods of time, so I've never had enough time to visit its museums. I may be coming back early next year so I will definitely pay a visit to these ones, they look quite interesting!
ReplyDeleteThe place is quite beautiful - interesting especially about the forefather of Tagore offering a lot of instruments. Loved that exotic piano picture. There is a similar section and a fairly big one at the Kelkar Museum in Pune. You should visit there and see how gorgeous some of those heritage instruments are -you in particular will love it.
ReplyDeleteReally informative post! I've only been to Brussels briefly so I'll be sure to check these out when I visit again
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