Art & Culture

Flanders

The northern part of Belgium is known as Flanders. All Flemish towns are brimming with quaint medieval squares, tree-lined canals, gorgeous architectural facades, world class museums, trendy fashion and designer boutiques, and friendly outdoor cafés perfect for sipping on one of the many hundreds of different local beers. And – not to forget – the best chocolate in the world...Travelling to Flanders is an unforgettable experience!

The Flemish Masters added a new dimension to art in the 15th, 16th, and early 17th centuries. Their paintings are known for their vibrant materialism and unsurpassed technical skill. From the van Eycks through Bruegel to Rubens, the Flemish painters were masters of the oil medium and used it primarily to portray a robust and realistically detailed vision of the world around them.

Tapestries, too, make integral part of the Flemish cultural heritage. Most of the tapestries have religious, mythological and historical subjects, and are known for their high quality and extended use of colours. The oldest ones were made in the 13th century.

And more recently, modern arts in Flanders has gained a steady following and influence. Flanders has an exceptional wealth and variety of arts and art forms to appeal to each visitor's taste.

Not to Miss

Royal Museums of Fine Arts

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels contain over 20,000 drawings, sculptures, and paintings, which date from the early 15th century to the present. The museum has an extensive collection of Flemish paintings, among them masterpieces by Bruegel and Rogier van der Weyden, Robert Campin, Anthony van Dyck, and Jacob Jordaens. The museum is also proud of its "Rubens Room", which houses more than 20 paintings by the artist.

Magritte Museum

The Magritte Museum displays works of the Belgian surrealist artist René Magritte. Located in the heart of Brussels – just around the corner from the Royal Palace and part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts – the museum houses an unrivalled multi-disciplinary collection dedicated to the eponymous painter best known for his witty and thought-provoking images. You have to see it to (not) believe it!

House of Rubens

In Antwerp, Rubens and his family lived in this palatial setting for well over 25 years and it is here that the artist created the lion's share of his work. Rubens’ beautiful house on the Wapper, the charming garden, the creator's workshop and the fabulous collection all testify of Rubens' relevance as an Antwerp icon.

Cathedral of Our Lady

It took 169 years (1352-1521) of labour to raise the 123m heavenward-reaching steeple of Antwerp's Cathedral, the highest Gothic building in the Low Countries. The Cathedral is an iconic treasury, with an impressive collection of major art works, including a series of paintings by Rubens.

The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb

The most visited site in Ghent is the famous polyptych, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, painted by the brothers Jan and Hubert van Eyck in 1432. It still hangs in its original location, the Saint Bavo Cathedral.

SMAK

Dynamic and highly individual. That’s Ghent and it also describes its museum of contemporary art. The permanent collection of top national and international works is presented in continuous interaction with original, often daring exhibitions.

Royal Manufacturer of Tapestries De Wit

To this day, the city of Mechelen identifies itself with the craft of tapestry weaving. The prestigious Royal Manufacturer of Tapestries De Wit, founded in 1889, produces, restores and sells magnificent tapestries from all over the world. The most famous museums count on the expertise of this atelier. De Wit is located in a historic 15th century building, the Refuge of Tongerlo Abbey in Mechelen.