Archaeological Museum of Arlon

The Archaeological Museum of Arlon stands among the most significant museum institutions in Belgian Wallonia, dedicated primarily to the Gallo-Roman heritage of the province of Luxembourg. The institution traces its roots to the Archaeological Institute of Luxembourg, founded in 1846 and established in Arlon the following year. The museum building itself, a neoclassical structure erected in the first half of the 19th century, has housed the collection in its present form since 1934. In 1959 the city of Arlon transferred the museum to the province of Luxembourg, giving it the status of a provincial museum, and in the late 1960s and early 1970s it underwent a major renovation that added a new exhibition hall and completely reorganized the displays.

Why was Arlon so important in Roman times?

The answer lies in its location. Arlon sat at the crossroads of two major Roman roads, making it a key trading hub that connected the region all the way to the Mediterranean. This strategic position within the Roman Empire brought the settlement centuries of prosperity, traces of which now fill the museum's galleries.

What can visitors see inside the museum?

The heart of the collection is its Gallo-Roman section, anchored by a collection of funerary sculpture — tombstones and burial monuments — considered one of the most important of its kind in Europe. The museum also holds Belgium's largest stone collection, comprising dozens of fragments from funerary monuments and civil buildings, offering a detailed picture of what the Roman town and its inhabitants' daily life looked like. Alongside this lapidary collection, visitors will find numerous everyday objects left behind by the region's former inhabitants: ceramics, glassware, and bronze artifacts. The undisputed centerpiece of the collection is the Weyler helmet, one of the museum's most recognizable exhibits.

How is the exhibition organized?

The display combines archaeology with local folklore, presenting artifacts in a sequence designed to help visitors trace historical continuity from Roman times through later periods. The museum occupies a heritage building from the first half of the 19th century, whose architecture is itself part of the visiting experience.

Is the museum suitable for families with children?

Yes. A short, free guidebook aimed at younger visitors is available at the reception desk and accompanies them through the exhibition, making it easier for children to engage with the artifacts. The museum also runs workshops for children and other educational activities, which are worth asking about before a visit.

Frequently asked questions

What sets the Archaeological Museum of Arlon apart from other regional museums? Above all, the scale and quality of its funerary sculpture collection — one of the richest of its kind in Europe — paired with Belgium's largest stone collection.

Where do the artifacts come from? The vast majority of the collection consists of finds from the province of Luxembourg, gathered since the mid-19th century by the Archaeological Institute of Luxembourg, whose legacy the museum continues today.

Is it worth planning an extended visit? The richness of the collection — from funerary sculpture and the lapidary hall to ceramics, glass, and bronze objects — means a thorough visit takes considerably longer than a quick stop.

How can visitors arrange group tours or children's workshops? The museum provides a dedicated contact for its educational department, where visitors can ask about available programs and activities accompanying a visit.