UNUSUAL THINGS TO DO IN BRUSSELS
WITH MUSEUMPASSMUSEES & BRUSSELS CARD
Also Read: Top 10 Playgrounds in Brussels
Living here, in Brussels, as a holder of
Museumpassmusées, I've visited quite a few unusual museums of Brussels, just because they
are listed as 'free entrance' with it, which I may or may not have
otherwise..... You know, buying so many tickets, proves
expensive!!!!!! So, here's my list of the Top 10 Unusual Museums of Brussels with
their location (incl, nearest landmarks), timings & tickets. After
visiting all these I'll wholeheartedly say - Is Museumpassmusées worth it? Hell yeah!!!
Where to buy Museumpassmusées? Online from the official Museumpassmuseés website
or at the ticket counter of any of the participating museums.
Who can buy Museumpassmusées? Anyone with a valid resident permit anywhere in European Union.
The pass has to be registered on their website with a valid European
address. If the card is purchased online, it can be delivered only within
Belgium.
How much does Museumpassmusées cost? €59 for 1 year
What to do in Brussels in January or February when its cold & snowy? MUSEUM HOPPING.
Every person who has visited or who will ever visit Brussels
would have/will definitely stop to see the little peeing boy -
Manneken Pis! Sometimes he's n*ked and sometimes he's clothed.
Ever wondered where those clothes are or who makes them or who
puts them on the statue??? Well, all these questions are answered
at Garderobe Manneken Pis, a museum located a street away from the
statue.
If you're an Indian reading this, check out this video of Manneken Pis getting ready in an Indian outfit during Indian Independence Day 2022 - Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Garderobe Manneken Pis Location (on Google Maps): Garderobe Manneken Pis
Garderobe Manneken Pis Tickets: €8 (together with Brussels City Museum) - included in Museumpassmusées
Garderobe Manneken Pis Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 10AM to 5PM
How to reach Garderobe Manneken Pis: nearest Metro station & landmarks - Gare Centrale (near Grand Place, Mannekin Pis statue)
While we are at it, did you know the sculpture of Manneken Pis is not
the real one? The original Manneken Pis is located a few meters away
from it, in the Brussels City Museum. Of course, it has all the history
of the city of Brussels as well as the gorgeous UNESCO Site where it
is located - Grand Place!
This is one of the best museums in Brussels to understand the city's
history, geography & culture. There are areas dedicated to stonework,
woodwork, and ceramics of Brussels. Don't miss the very unique pot bellied
ceramic sculptures that actually serve the function of a wine/beer
dispenser!!!! Btw, the
Beer Museum Brussels
is also located very close to this.
Brussels City Museum Location (on Google
Maps): Brussels City Museum
Brussels City Museum Tickets: €8 (together with Garderobe Manneken Pis) - included in Museumpassmusées
Brussels City Museum Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 10AM to 5PM
How to reach Brussels City Museum: nearest Metro station &
landmarks - Gare Centrale (near Grand Place, Mannekin Pis statue)
SEWER MUSEUM (MUSÉE DES EGOUTS)
Did you know that like all other cities across the world,
Brussels too had a river going in its midst? Brussels was built on
the banks of River Senne. However, as time went by, it became very
polluted and a 'dead river'! So it was re-channeled and
sent into a vault (tunnel) to flow underground in late 19th C CE.
Now, River Senne goes underground near Gare du Midi, flows under
Brussels City, and reappears again near Mechelen. A portion of this
vault can be seen from inside the Sewer Museum of Brussels!
Apart from river La Senne, the museum gives insight into
water management, rainwater conservation, sanitation, water
purification, and more. Apart from seeing a section of La Senne, you also get to see a portion of the real sewer/flood water collector that runs under the roads! You can literally hear the buzzing traffic over your head and the roaring sewer beneath your feet!!!
If you're visiting with kids, there's a nice kids' activity book available free of cost at the ticket office. Btw, now, a bill has been passed to restore La Senne which would likely start in 2023.
Sewer Museum Tickets: €8 (included in Museumpassmusées)
Sewer Museum Opening Hours: Tue-Sat: 10AM to 5PM
How to reach Sewer Museum: nearest Tram station - Porte d'Anderlecht (Tram 51 & 82); 1 km from Gare du Midi.
A fascinating industrial history museum. This is divided into 3-4
sections dedicated to various industries of Belgium including textiles;
musical instruments; food, dairy & brewery; and
metallurgy.
There are also some games for kids to play including their hand in
basic carpentry, spanners, etc. The huge cotton mill equipment is scattered outside, in the museum's
yard and it is possible to have a look at them even without entering the
ticketed area. Some equipment there definitely reminded me of my stay in
Ghent River Hotel, in a room which had these machineries in them!
La Fonderie Location (on Google Maps): La Fonderie
La Fonderie Tickets: €8 (included in Museumpassmusées)
La Fonderie Opening Hours: Tue-Fri: 10AM to 5PM; Sat-Sun: 2PM to 5PM
How to reach La Fonderie: nearest Metro station
- Comte de Flandre
While the Royal Museum of Armed Forces and Military History is not very
unusual, what many don't know is that entry into this museum also gives
you a ticket to climb atop the Cinquantenaire Arch! Also, the 'Aircrafts' section of the museum is just so so so
fascinating! I haven't seen so many aircraft, of so many different types
& eras put together in the same place!!! The Cinquantenaire Park is the largest park in Brussels and has 3
museums in it with this being one. This is the Belgian version of the
Arc de Triumph in Paris.
Cinquantenaire Arch Location (on Google
Maps): Royal Museum of Armed Forces and Military History, Cinquantenaire Arch
Royal Museum of Armed Forces and Military History Tickets: €10 (€5 for climbing the arch alone) - included in Museumpassmusées
Royal Museum of Armed Forces and Military History Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 10AM to 5PM
How to reach Royal Museum of Armed Forces and Military History: nearest Metro station - Merode
Once upon a time, the old Royal Palace of Brussels, Coundenberg Palace,
towered upon this very site. In 1731, due to an accident, it burnt down.
Very recently in the 1980s, excavations were made to convert it into a
museum and make it accessible to the general public. Today it is a series
of underground cellars that give an insight into how the palace would have
been centuries ago.
While it can be seen anytime, the best time to see it would be in summer
from the end of July to the beginning of September when the current Royal
Palace of Brussels, where the royal family now lives, is open for the
public to explore. This is free of charge in fact. Seeing the old cellars
and the current palace back to back would give a very good idea of the
history and life of the Belgian Royal family!
Coundenberg Palace Location (on Google Maps): Coundenberg
Coundenberg Palace Tickets: €7 (included in Museumpassmusées)
Coundenberg Palace Opening Hours: Tue-Fri: 9:30AM to 5PM; Weekends & summer 10AM to 6 PM
How to reach Coundenberg Palace: nearest Metro station - Parc (near Royal Palace, Fine Art & Magritte museums)
Belgium and lace go hand in hand. The delicate Brugge laces made by the
women of Brugge have been world famous. This museum, again located very
close to Grand Place, is dedicated to the various lace-making techniques
of Belgium, its history, its commercial value over the ages, amusing facts,
and so much more! What was very fascinating was, the way some of the intricate laces were
kept under a magnifying glass for us to enjoy and marvel at the beauty of the
artwork!!!
Fashion & Lace Museum Location (on Google
Maps): Fashion & Lace Museum
Fashion & Lace Museum Tickets: €8 (included in Museumpassmusées)
Fashion & Lace Museum Opening Hours: Tue -Sun: 10AM to 5PM
How to reach Fashion & Lace Museum: nearest Metro station - Gare Centrale (near Grand Place, Mannekin Pis statue)
Located at Mont Des Arts, which is very close to Gare Centrale & Grand Place, quite amusingly it is often
overlooked. At the first glance, it looks like a library and it is,
but a part of it is dedicated to the historic library of the Dukes of
Burgundy which is what the museum is all about! KBR is an acronym for Koninklijke Bibliotheek/Bibliothèque Royale which literally means Royal Library in Dutch & French languages.
The self-guided tour of the museum begins with a video about the royal Nassau family (incl. Philip the Bold, the Good, the Fair(!), Mary of Burgundy, and many more) which lived here in 13th C CE. Being patrons of art & literature, the family invited the greatest artists & writers of the era to their court and built a library of a unique and fascinating collection of manuscripts. Apart from the many manuscripts on the display, a section is dedicated to how manuscripts were made - paper, quills, pigments & other materials used, the people who did it, & more. There are very many interactive sections where you can try writing in calligraphy or creating a manuscript page, etc! There were also 3 video displays where the manuscripts come to life with animation which was perhaps the favorite for Atyudarini.
KBR Museum Location (on Google Maps): KBR Museum
KBR Museum Tickets: €11 (included in Museumpassmusées)
KBR Museum Opening Hours: Tue -Sun: 10AM to 5PM
How to reach KBR Museum: nearest Metro station - Gare Centrale (it is halfway through the staircase of Mont des Arts)
Like the other Horta buildings, Maison Autrique is also an Art Nouveau
building. It is one of Horta's earliest designs built in 1893 and it was commissioned by Eugene Autrique as his private home. So, the space is limited and reservation is recommended.
The ground floor is the reception and that's where the grand, picturesque, beautiful staircase is. The spiral tiles design on the floor complements the spiral hand rail of the staircase, with its bright colors making it one of the most instagrammable Art Nouveau elements in Brussels. There's a very nice kids' activity in the museum which has tasks including making a tiled design like on this floor! Before the world wars, till the early 19th C, this region was mostly agrarian. So, the ground floor also has a verandah that overlooked the meadows! Today there's just a little garden.
The next stop is the underground floor where the historic utensils are on display. There's also the dining table & wine cellar. The upper floor is where the living room, bedroom, & bathroom are. The floor above it is for his children & above it, is the attic.
Maison Autrique Location (on Google Maps): Maison Autrique
Maison Autrique Tickets: €7 (included in Museumpassmusées)
Maison Autrique Opening Hours: Wed -Sun: 12Noon to 6PM
How to reach Maison Autrique: nearest Tram station - Eglise Saint-Servais (Tram 92)
Musée de la Médicine was what an anatomy class of a medical student would have been a couple centuries ago before Information Era & Digitization! It is dedicated to human evolution, human biology and anatomy, diseases, and more.
The museum begins with the room of Ancient Egyptian medicine, with real specimens of mummified body parts. The next room is the largest room for the General History of Medicine. This was the one Atyudarini liked the most with human skeletons, anatomical waxes of the muscular system as well as various organs incl. lungs, heart, liver, etc. There are also samples of historical medicines and medical instruments like glass syringes. There is also a small area that talks about the evolution of Homo Sapiens from apes with all the skulls on display as well as 2 full skeletons. Next is the room for History of Surgery with some anatomical waxes as well. I got to explain to Atyudarini how my bone broke and how it was fixed by the surgeons!
The next room is dedicated to Anatomy which was 'very real' for Atyudarini. This room has realistic wax sculptures of ways of healing broken bones (pre-modern-surgery) and fetus & childbirth. Being a cesarean baby herself, the realistic sculpture of a cesarean was rather intriguing for her! That said, it may not be suitable for your child if they're very sensitive or you've never spoken on this topic with them!
Btw, if you're going there with children below 13 years, skip the floor dedicated to Diseases (Maladié). It can be really scary and scarring! We skipped it as well.
Musée de la Médicine Location (on Google Maps): Geneeskundemuseum
How to reach Musée de la Médicine: Nearest metro station - Erasme; It is located inside ULB (Brussels University)'s Erasmus Hospital. But this is in a separate building and not inside the hospital building.
Musée de la Médicine Timings: Mon to Fri - 1:00PM to 4:00PM (last entry at 3:30PM)
Musée de la Médicine Tickets: €3 (included in Museumpassmusées)
These 3 museums are dedicated to modern art and primarily focus only on
temporary exhibitions. While I could share pictures of my visit, it may be
very different when you visit, as the exhibitions change!
Art & Marges Museum Location (on Google
Maps): Art & Marges Museum
Art & Marges Museum Tickets: €4 (included in Museumpassmusées)
Art & Marges Museum Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 11AM to 6PM
How to reach Art & Marges Museum: nearest Metro station - Porte de Hal; Brussels-Midi
Centrale for Contemporary Art Location (on Google
Maps): Centrale for Contemporary Art
Centrale for Contemporary Art Tickets: €8 (included in Museumpassmusées)
Centrale for Contemporary Art Opening Hours: Wed-Sun: 10:30AM to 6PM
How to reach Centrale for Contemporary Art: nearest Metro station - Saint Catherine (7 min walk from Grand Place)
MiMA Museum Tickets: €9.5 (included in Museumpassmusées)
MiMA Museum Opening Hours: Wed-Fri: 10AM to 6PM; Weekends: 11AM to 7PM
How to reach MiMA Museum: nearest Metro station - Comte de Flandre
Frozen waterbody in front of the museum. Shattered ice after kids
picked them up & threw them!
One of the sad historical, colonial pasts is of Congo Free State. It was a
region in Central Africa which was occupied by Belgian King Leopold II. The
crimes against the locals, by Leopold II are way too many! One of the most
horrible things was when he held the International Exhibition in
Brussels in 1897, which included the Human Zoo of Teruveren
(a concept that was relatively common in that era among countries that
colonized Africa & Asia), where he brought in people from Congo and made a Congolese village set-up
to exhibit them!!! It is on this very site that Africa Museum stands today.
Originally it was set up to showcase the pride of the colonists, but today
the museum takes its stand to educate how colonialism robbed Congo of its
people, wealth, and culture and infact steps are being taken to return
artifacts of religious & cultural significance, esp., those acquired by
forceful means, to be returned to the original communities in Congo.
As an outsider, it was educational for me, but for a Congolese, I don't know
how the emotions would be. As an Indian, when I was in London, my emotions
were hard and sad to see India's treasures in British Museums like Kohinoor
Diamond (of course) at the Tower of London, Tipu Sultan's Tiger at Victoria
& Albert Museum, Amravati Marbles (Elliot Marbles) at British Museum and
so so many more! When I was in Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, I
understood they too shared a similar feeling about Britain regarding
Parthenon Marbles (Elgin Marbles). I imagine, Congolese people too would
share a similar feeling when they step in here!
DOLMEN OF DUISBERG: While you're here, of course, a walk in Teruveren
Park is necessary! At the convergence of 7 paths here is a capstone of a
Dolmen excavated in Duisberg, a nearby village. It is the 3 pieces that
almost complete the circular capstone of a Dolman.
Africa Museum Teruveren Location (on Google Maps): Royal Museum of Central Africa
Africa Museum Teruveren Tickets: €12 (included in Visit Brussels Card & Museumpassmusées)
Africa Museum Teruveren Opening Hours: Tue-Fri - 11AM to 5PM; Weekend - 10AM to 6PM
How to reach Africa Museum Teruveren: nearest Tram station - Teruveren (Tram 44)
Dolmen of Duisberg Teruveren Location (on Google
Maps): Zevenster met ‘dolmensteen van Duisburg’
Hiking trails of Teruveren Park: via
Komoot
POPULAR & MAJOR MUSEUMS INCLUDED IN MUSEUMPASSMUSÉES
Apart from these, within Brussels, the other major museums including Cinquantenaire Museum, Halle Gate, Musical Instruments Museum, Autoworld, MoOF, Comic Strip museum, BOZAR, Train World, Meise Plantentuin, etc are also included in Museum Pass Musees.
OTHER UNUSUAL MUSEUMS NOT INCLUDED IN MUSEUMPASSMUSÉES
Located in Grimbergen on the outskirts of Brussels which can be reached by a
small detour on the way to Meise Plantentuin. This museum is in 3 separate
places - the main premises Guldenhal inside Prinsenbos and 2 different
watermills namely Tommenmolen & Liermolen. All 3 are located close to
each other and can be walked. Guldenhal is dedicated to how things were done
ages ago without depending on technology and machines as we do today incl.
woodwork, blacksmith, scaffolding & stonework, carts & wagons, and
more. The best thing about MOT Grimbergen is that it is very hands-on and
kids can try out hammers, spanners, pliers, and more!
The 2 watermills Tommenmolen & Liermolen explain all about the
functioning of, not only water mills but also windmills; plus all the
associated works like wheat harvesting, bread baking, etc. While the main
premises in Prinsenbos is open throughout the year, the 2 mills are closed
in winter.
Museum of Old Techniques Location (on Google Maps): Museum of Old Techniques
How to reach Museum of Old Techniques: Located 1.4km (18mins walk) from Grimbergen town centre, which is well
connected by DeLijn buses from Brussels Noord. 6km from Vilvoorde railway
station.
Museum of Old Techniques Tickets: €6
Museum of Old Techniques Opening Hours: 10:00AM to 05:00PM (only on weekdays; open
also on weekends in Apr-Sept).
Tommenmolen & Liermolen Opening Hours: 10:00AM to 05:00PM only on weekends & holidays in Apr-Sept.
While the Train World is very well known Tram Museum is not so popular. I'm
yet to visit here, but what I've seen often is the historic tram, a ride on
which is a part of the guided tour of the museum!
Tram Museum Location (on Google Maps): Museum of Urban Transport
Tram Museum Tickets: €8 (only museum visit); €12 (incl. historic tram ride)
Tram Museum Opening Hours: Tue-Sat: 10AM to 5PM
How to reach Tram Museum: nearest Tram station
- Trammuseum/Musée du Tram (Tram 19, 44 & 8); On the way to Africa
Museum from Brussels City Centre
I haven't made it to Brussels yet but there certainly looks like there is lots to see when I do get there. I love to visit Museums and love the unusual ones. Who knew that there would be a job for someone on making the clothes for the boy, what a cool job. I would also love to see inside the palace and see the ruins of the old palace.
ReplyDeleteBrussels is still a spot we have yet to explore. It sounds like the Museumpassmusees is a great way to see a variety of museums. How interesting that there is a whole wardrobe for the peeing boy at the Garderobe Manneken Pis. I am sure it is fascinating to see the history of Brussels through textiles, instruments, food and metallurgy at La Fonderie. Since hubby is a vet, he would definitely want to visit the Royal Museum of Armed Forces and Military History. The Comic Strip Museum might we one we would add.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of Garderobe Manneken Pis before. I want to see this place. I add it to my bucket list. It looks wonderful. These costumes and masks look fabulous; they are so detailed, colorful. And there are more than 1000 costumes! It is so impressive. I want to see the Brussels City Museum. I like Fashion & Lace museum, too. For sure I will buy Musseumpass to see all places.
ReplyDeleteI hope to visit Brussels soon this year.
Agnes
We were in Brussels last summer but the only museum we saw was Tintin museum. But some of the other pictures here revived those memories.
ReplyDeleteI've learned a lot from your post! I visited Brussels and saw the Manneken Pis, but I didn't know it was not the real one. Garderobe Manneken Pis is an interesting museum as well, seeing his costumes sounds fun to me. I'd also love to visit Fashion & Lace museum. I'm interested in learning about lace making techniques of Belgium and its history.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great city for museums and I was not aware of. I use to have a similar card for places to visit with kids in London and used it quite a bit. Something uncommon is the fashion and lace museum I must say and one great place if your family or kids are into clothing or fashion. The military museum would definitely be on my list . Overall a good collection of museums i must say .
ReplyDeleteOne always find treasures when going to the less well-known museums. I would like to see the wardrobe of the Manneken Pis. I admit I only ever saw him naked. The La Fonderie sounds very hands-on where even kids gets to try things on their own and this I would be interested to see too. This looks like another trip to Brussels is calling...
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! I have always been a huge fan of museums whenever I travel to new destinations. Even though I have yet to travel to Brussels, I still have a list of places I want to visit in Brussels, and now I have found some new mentions for my list like the La Fonderie. And even though Garderobe Manneken Pis seems a bit creepy to me I would love to give it a try too.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting museum...i remember a very similar museum in Glasgow
ReplyDeleteI can't believe there are so many museums in Brussels. The Garderobe Manneken Pis will be first in my list to visit. The statues look cute in those costume. Ok. Whose idea was it to make the pot bellied ceramic sculptures serves as a beer dispenser? Very clever! Wish they build something for non-beer drinker. Haha..
ReplyDeleteI am not a big fan of museums, but the museums in Brussels look fascinating. Would love to wander through the Royal Museum of Armed Forces and study the aircraft. Certainly an incredible collection of military history!
ReplyDeleteSome of these museums are really intriguing but I loved reading the story about who dresses the little peeing boy! So cool to know that there actually is a job role of dresser of Manneken Pis! I have never been to Brussels but I am sold on it, gotta get there someday!
ReplyDeleteI am not big fan of museums but these looks worth visits and glad to know few are free with Museum Pass Musees. I would like to visit Garderobe Manneken and Brussels city museum, looks fun.The story of dressing up peeing boy looks interesting.You have such great list!
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of questions about the statue of peeing boy. I mean, why????!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so intrigue about the story, and this museum is definitely a must-visit soon.