In the 17th and 18th centuries, Brussels was famous for the production of lace. Housed in a renovated 17th-century warehouse, the Museum of Costume and Lace pays tribute to this heritage and to lace as an art form. One-part history and one-part beautiful art museum, it is an important stop for any visitor to Brussels and will lead you have have a greater appreciation of this product.
In the basement of the majestic Brewers' House on Grand Place, you'll find a small but comprehensive exhibition on the evolution of brewing beer. Discover brewing tools that were used in an 18th Century brewery, including fermentation tubs and a kettle. You can also see the latest beer brewing technology as well as the raw materials behind your favorite beer, such as malt and yeast. After exploring the museum, stop by their cafe for a beer to sample the beverage that you learned all about.
Art Nouveau was practically born in Brussels. Victor Horta (1861-1947), considered to be Brussels' master of the arts, designed this house and made it his residence until 1919. It was restored in 1991 and is now a museum. Horta is known for his design of buildings using industrial materials such as metal and iron, manipulated to look organic and natural. The city features many similar buildings.
The Royal Military Museum strives to illustrate the evolution of warfare technology from the Middle Ages onward. Walk through the displays and marvel at historical weapons, armor, medals and pennants from around the world. Make sure you visit the Napoleon collection for a particularly fascinating look about the Battle of Waterloo. There is also an onsite shop and cafeteria.
This is the house where the great Belgian Surrealist painter René Magritte lived from 1930 to 1954. Transformed today into a wonderful museum, it is now redecorated with authentic furniture and design. Musée René Magritte allows the visitor to understand how this great painter lived and worked and includes detailed information about his personal life. Those who would also like to see his masterpieces can visit the Museum of Modern Art.