Museum of Musical Instruments: reviews and practical tips

Visiting the Museum of Musical Instruments

Housed in the striking Old England Art Nouveau department store building in Brussels, the Museum of Musical Instruments (MIM), established in 1899, has occupied four floors since 2000. Violins, bagpipes, bells, pianos, drums, trombones: every conceivable instrument is represented here, organized by family.

One of the world's premier music museums

The site itself is steeped in history. It occupies an innovative iron and glass building reminiscent of grand railway stations, accented with stylized floral ironwork. Originally serving as a department store, the building drew a wealthy clientele seeking high-end fashion. Restoration work began in 1990 to transform the space into the Museum of Musical Instruments. A restaurant with a panoramic terrace was later added on the 6th floor, offering sweeping views of the city. Today, the facility also houses a workshop space offering children's workshops, a museum shop, and a specialized library. A 200-seat concert hall sits on the 8th floor. These intimate concerts are recorded for use by the museum's educational department and to support the artists, with over 130 musical events hosted here every year.

A fully musical visit

This institution holds a collection of over 8,000 instruments spanning eras from the Middle Ages to the present day. More than 1,200 are on display across the museum's galleries. This exceptional heritage comes to life through sound throughout the visit. "You are going to see what you are going to hear" serves as the museum's motto. Every visitor receives an infrared headset featuring roughly 200 sound clips and presentations corresponding to the displayed instruments. The exhibition route explores how instruments evolved across the globe and through time, highlighting how different social classes influenced their craftsmanship.

On the first floor, the "Traditions around the world" section features instruments from Europe, Asia, and Africa. The 2nd floor houses "Western art music" with pieces from antiquity to the 19th century. Down in the basement, "Musical mechanics" showcases mechanical, electric, and electronic instruments.