Musical Instruments Museum

The Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) in Brussels is one of the world's most significant music museums, located in the prestigious Royal Quarter right next to the Place Royale. Part of the Royal Museums of Art and History, it holds a collection of more than 8,000 musical instruments spanning cultures and centuries.

How did the MIM collection begin?

The collection dates back to 1877 and was originally linked to the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where instruments were used to teach students about historical instrument-making. Its foundations rested on two sources: around a hundred Indian instruments given to King Leopold II by Rajah Sourindro Mohun Tagore in 1876, and the extensive collection of Belgian musicologist François-Joseph Fétis. Over the decades, further donations and acquisitions expanded the holdings into one of the most comprehensive surveys of instrument history anywhere in the world.

Why is the building itself worth a visit?

Since 2000, the museum has occupied the former Old England department store, a structure built in 1899 and designed by Paul Saintenoy. It stands as one of the most recognizable examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Brussels — a steel-and-glass construction with a striking, light facade that draws photographers and architecture enthusiasts on its own merits. The building adjoins an 18th-century neoclassical house designed by Barnabé Guimard, creating a notable contrast of styles within a single complex.

How is the exhibition organized?

A visit to MIM follows a clear, floor-by-floor logic. The basement displays mechanical instruments — music boxes, street organs, and other self-playing devices. The ground floor is dedicated to traditional and folk instruments from across the continents. The first floor traces the development of modern orchestral instruments, while the second floor showcases keyboard and stringed instruments. This layout lets visitors follow the evolution of instrumental music from folk traditions to the modern symphony orchestra.

What are the highlights of the collection?

Among the most prized items is the famous Rottenburgh alto recorder, instruments built by Adolphe Sax (the Belgian inventor of the saxophone), a unique set of giant Chinese stone chimes, and the only surviving example of the luthéal, a keyboard instrument used, among others, by Maurice Ravel. This diversity means MIM appeals not only to musicians and music historians but also to anyone curious about unusual and inventive objects.

Who is this museum for?

MIM offers something for music lovers of every kind — from classical instrument enthusiasts to those drawn to folk instruments from distant corners of the world, to fans of mechanical curiosities. Many visitors also appreciate the location itself: proximity to Place Royale and the rest of the Royal Quarter makes it easy to combine a museum visit with exploring Brussels' historic center. The former Old England department store, with its intricate facade and rooftop terrace, is reason enough to visit even without a prior interest in musical instruments.

Frequently asked questions

Is MIM part of a larger institution? Yes, the museum belongs to the Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels.

How many instruments does the collection hold? More than 8,000, representing instruments from many cultures and historical periods.

What building houses the museum? The former Old England department store from 1899, an Art Nouveau design by Paul Saintenoy.

How is the exhibition laid out? Basement — mechanical instruments, ground floor — traditional instruments, first floor — orchestral instruments, second floor — keyboard and stringed instruments.