BELvue museum

The BELvue Museum in Brussels offers a captivating journey through Belgium’s history, combining films, photos, and music to bring the past to life. Located above the ruins of Charles V's palace at Place des Palais, the museum provides a dynamic exploration of Belgium’s political and cultural evolution. A highlight is the Democracy Center, which offers an insightful look into the nation's democratic foundations, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts. The museum’s exhibits are well-curated, with detailed multimedia displays that engage visitors in an immersive experience. The stories of Belgium’s monarchy, its various governments, and key historical moments are told through interactive installations, making complex political history accessible to all audiences. Adjacent to the exhibits, the museum houses a small but cozy restaurant. The menu is modest, yet the food is flavorful and of high quality. I particularly enjoyed the freshly prepared dishes that offered a comforting break from the exhibits. However, the behavior of the staff left something to be desired. I was disappointed when I approached a section with fresh salad greens and a piece of butter, only to be told by a young woman—presumably the cook—that the items were unavailable to me. This was puzzling and somewhat frustrating, as it seemed arbitrary. In the end, I had to settle for the remaining options, which were still tasty but limited. Despite this issue with the service, the museum itself is worth a visit for its insightful displays and engaging atmosphere. The combination of history, culture, and democracy makes BELvue an excellent stop for anyone looking to learn more about Belgium’s rich heritage.

Incredible. Really tells you the story of Belgium in an interactive, dynamic and emotional way. No joke, it almost brought me to tears in some parts, and I'm not even Belgian. I cannot recommend it enough.

Nice museum. Nice to know about Belgium and a such nice way. English available in the museum so you can read and listen to history. Easy access. There is a locker free of charge and a coffee place in case you are hungry at the end.

free entry did not sparkle it for me in this museum history of belgium, told in a manner that did not catch my attention made me go towarda the next art museum after nearly 10 minutes. they offer free lockers as well

Lackluster. The museum consists of a linear timeline of facts that are “paired” with objects of the same time period but have no relevance to the events described in the text. The text itself relies heavily on passive voice and avoids saying anything about the political actors or causes of events. Ultimately you are left with an incredibly superficial understanding of Belgian history. It also completely glosses over important historical events like the colonization of the Congo and world war ii. I really wanted to like this museum and learn more about Belgian history but i left feeling like this museum is a waste of time and money.

Beautiful building filled with some great exhibitions. There's exhibits on the development of democracy in Belgium, the history of the city, migration, and some contemporary pieces thrown in. It's quite interesting and has a lot of history to show off.

⭐️ 🇧🇪 We visited a museum about Belgium and its history and centre for democracy. Museum takes you for one hour and you can discover a lot of good pieces of information about Belgium from migration, democracy, right, etc. Staff are so friendly and they help you with all need what you want 👍🏻

Amazing experience. I did not know about it, found it by chance since the palace are was closed, but it was the best introduction to the history and situation of both the city and the country. So complete and interactive.

The BELvue Museum is something we ended up doing by accident because we were doing the Coudenburg downstairs. The BELvue Museum is a beautiful display of history spanning what I believe was two or three floors and filled with Belgian history from the wars and economic struggles to growth and prosperity. I really enjoyed seeing so many different paintings, books, and photos from throughout the cities history and thought the overall presentation was beautiful and the same can be said for the large red spiral staircase that went upstairs, so beautiful. Overall, the BELvue Museum is definitely worth checking out and something I probably should have spent more time on, but my tummy was rumbling and lunch was needed pretty soon. Just a heads up, if you do this and the Coudenburg you save on admission to both so I definitely recommend doing that!

If you want to know a little more about Belgium without reading the 500 hundred pages of a history book, this is where you want to go! The 18th century building is magnificent yet homey. The place is very peaceful. There are a lot of items to see and they have dedicated activities for small children. It's a perfect spot for a rainy Sunday morning. If by any chance the sun peeks through, you can enjoy the nice terrace for a meal. I think the restaurant has a covered terrace too... Last but not least, it's cheap! 5 euros...no excuse.

Um...I hate to say this, but BELvue Museum, you are kind of dull. I went there with the thought that I should learn something about the country in which I'm spending a week. I did that, although all that really stuck with me was the royalty (sorry, but it's the most interesting) and the crazy Flemish separatists (ooh, they sound a little nutty). Luckily, it was a free Sunday (the first of the month), or I may have been a bit peeved to spend 5 euro on it.

Belvue charts the history of Belgium, and more particularly the history of the Belgian royal family. For a country formed in the early 1800s, Belgium has a very difficult and chequered history that it's not always easy for outsiders to appreciate. This museum will help considerably: it presents a surprisingly honest view of Belgium's history, even its difficult relationship with the Congo. It's refreshingly candid, and there is enough detail to give you an extremely good overview of Belgium in a short time, without ever getting too bogged down in trivialities. You can also go down to the archaeological dig beneath the museum, where they have excavated a medieval street of shops. Most excitingly, you can gaze at a variety of Belgian royal memorabilia, including an inkstand owned by the Belgians' favourite king, Albert I. Don't miss it on a short chocolate-and-beer break to Belgium.