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The story of this museum centres on one of those awkward legacies: the gift to Bruges by the British artist Frank Brangwyn (1867–1956) of a large collection of his own paintings and prints. Fortunately, the result is both unusual and rewarding, as he had a highly distinctive eye and was a brilliant draughtsman (see Arentshuis (Brangwynmuseum)).

Workshop producing plaster-cast copies of classic sculptures.

Hendrik Verbruggen’s elaborately carved pulpit in Brussels’ cathedral (see Cathédrale des Saints Michel et Gudule).

Many of these pious settlements for single women still survive (see Bruges). This small one serves as a museum evoking their lives. Unforgettable charm (see Béguinage d’Anderlecht).

Housed in an old convent, the Bijlokemuseum is a splendidly idiosyncratic collection of historic artifacts, delivering a surprise at every turn (see Bijlokemuseum).

“Heretical” books ruthlessly swathed in black ink.

As the Belgian Centre of the Comic Strip is the first to admit, comic strips were not invented in Belgium, but the nation has certainly taken them to its heart, and produced a string of gifted artist-writers, the most famous being Hergé, creator of Tintin. The museum is in an Art Nouveau building by Horta (see Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée).

Anyone interested in antique furniture and the history of the decorative arts will love this delightful museum, which follows changing styles from the domestic elegance of the 17th century to the jocular irreverence of Milanese Post-Modernism (see Design Museum Gent).

The famous Iguanodons of Bernissart.

Tiny models of animals and body parts once used to plead for heavenly intercession.