Brussels City Museum

The Brussels city museum, known as the Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles, stands on the north side of the Grand-Place, directly across from the Town Hall. It is housed in the so-called King's House (Maison du Roi), a building whose history reaches back to the early 15th century. Originally used as a bread market, the structure was rebuilt in the Late Gothic style in the 16th century and restored several times afterward. After the city acquired it in 1860, it decided on a complete rebuild in the Neo-Gothic style, which was constructed between 1874 and 1896. Today the building is considered one of the most significant examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in Belgium and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. The museum is devoted to the history and everyday life of the city, from its beginnings to the present day.

The collection comprises more than 7,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, tapestries, altarpieces, photographs, and archaeological finds. On the ground floor you can see historic works of art and everyday objects from various centuries, while the first floor focuses on Brussels' urban development, topography, and infrastructure. Two dioramas illustrate the city in its early phases and at its height in the 16th century. A particular highlight is the collection of Brussels tapestries; the museum is the only one in the world to own a 16th-century tapestry together with its monumental preliminary drawing, the cartoon. This cartoon, which depicts the martyrdom of Saint Paul, is a rare survivor, since such working documents were usually destroyed after weaving.

On the second floor, the famous figure of the Manneken Pis takes center stage. Here you can admire the original bronze statue, created in 1619 by the sculptor Jérôme Du Quesnoy the Elder. Because the figure was stolen several times from its original location on Rue de l'Étuve, the fountain today displays a copy, while the original is safely kept in the museum. Alongside the statue, the museum presents temporary exhibitions and offers an overview of the artistic genres that established the city's international reputation. Visitors thus gain a comprehensive insight into the cultural and historical identity of Brussels.