DK Travel : Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent

The four great cities of northern Belgium share a rich cultural heritage dating back to medieval times, when this was one of the most vibrant trading regions in the world. Yet each is very different: Brussels is the new Capital of Europe, while Bruges is one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities. Ghent is a historic university city, while Antwerp still has the muscular stance of a great industrial centre. Each, in its own way, is richly rewarding – not only in cultural sights, but also in delightful and welcoming places to stay, eat and drink.

For a list of the best art galleries and museums (see Art Galleries and Museums)

Musées Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire, Brussels

Belgium’s collection of historic national and international treasures is housed in this palatial building. It includes an impressive array of medieval church treasures (in the Salle aux Trésors), tapestries, Art Nouveau sculpture and jewellery, antique costumes and archaeological finds. One of several museums in the Parc du Cinquantenaire.
Muséum des Sciences Naturelles

See some of the first complete dinosaur skeletons.
Museum Mayer van den Bergh

Fritz Mayer van den Bergh (1858–91) was an avid collector of art and curios. When he died, his mother created a museum to display his collections – some 5,000 items in all. They include tapestries, furniture, ivories, glass, paintings and coins.
Museum Mayer van den Bergh, Antwerp

A rich collection of paintings, objets d’art and antiques – the product of the drive and wealth of Fritz Mayer van den Bergh (see Museum Mayer van den Bergh).
Museum Plantin-Moretus

Christopher Plantin (c.1520–89) was a French bookbinder who in 1546 came to Antwerp to set up his own printing workshop. It became one of the most influential publishing houses in Europe during the late Renaissance, producing Bibles, maps, scientific books and much else. The museum consists essentially of the printing workshop and home of Plantin and his heirs. It contains a large collection of rare and precious books, and displays of their illustrations. The processes of hot-metal type setting and letterpress printing are also explained. Plantin gave his name to a typeface still widely used today.
Museum Plantin-Moretus, Antwerp

Within a century of Gutenberg’s breakthrough in European printing by means of movable type, this 16th-century printing house had become a leader of the publishing revolution. Among the presses and engraving plates, it’s still possible to detect the ferment of ideas, and the possibilities of the spread of knowledge, that printing promised (see Museum Plantin-Moretus).
Museum voor Fotografie

Antwerp’s excellent museum of photography (historical artifacts and images) has been completely revamped and now also contains the MUHKA (see below) film museum, showing classic films from around the world.
Museum voor Hedendaagse Kunst (MUHKA), Antwerp

The location of this museum of contemporary art, in the up-and-coming former dockland area in the south of the city, sets the tone for what lies inside. A ground-breaking gallery with a growing reputation (see MUHKA).
Museum voor Schone Kunsten and SMAK

Ghent’s two leading museums of art are a short tram or bus ride south of the city centre. The Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Fine Arts Museum) covers painting and sculpture up to the early 20th century. While closed for renovation (until autumn 2006), highlights such as works by Hieronymus Bosch, Rogier van der Weyden and Hugo van der Goes will be shown at a variety of other locations; check the museum’s website for details. Opposite the MSK, in more ways than one, is the Stedelijk Museum voor Acktuele Kunst (SMAK), Ghent’s modern art gallery. Its challenging permanent collection and temporary exhibitions have placed SMAK at the forefront of modern art galleries in Europe.
Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent

Ghent’s museum of fine arts (closed for renovation until late 2006) is a bit of a mixed bag, but has a handful of outstanding pieces; just a stone’s throw from SMAK, it forms part of a rewarding double act (see Museum voor Schone Kunsten and SMAK).