Museums in Belgium

National Museum of Playing Cards

The National Museum of Playing Cards — Nationaal Museum van de Speelkaart — sits in Turnhout, a city in the Antwerp province of northern Belgium, and is entirely dedicated to the history of playing cards. Founded in 1965, the museum has occupied a beautifully restored former card factory since 1988, a fitting home given that Turnhout has been one of Europe's key centers of playing card production for well over a century. Why Turnhout? Since the 19th century, Turnhout's factories printed and exported playing cards across the continent and beyond, turning the city into a genuine industrial hub for the craft. The museum keeps that legacy alive, tracing production from hand-painted early cards to mechanized offset and lithographic printing. What's on display The permanent collection spans more than 400 years of playing card history, drawing mainly on material from Belgium and the Netherlands alongside examples from other parts of the world. Among the standout pieces is an original 1567 deck featuring elaborately rendered dragon motifs, along with a 1743 printing of Edmond Hoyle's treatise on the game of whist — one of the earliest written rulebooks for a card game. A major part of the visit revolves around the museum's collection of historical printing machinery: lithographic and offset presses, some dating back to the 1800s, many still hand-cranked or flywheel-powered. A large number of these machines remain fully operational, and the museum regularly puts them to work, walking visitors through the entire process of making a card — from design and printing to finishing and polishing. Live demonstrations Twice a month, the museum runs live demonstrations of its historic presses in action, including a roaring 19th-century steam-powered printing press. It's a rare chance to see, up close, how cards were once produced when every sheet passed through a printer's hands rather than an automated line. For many visitors, this is the highlight of the trip — the noise, the smell of printing ink, and the rhythmic turning of the flywheels pull you straight into another era. A global collection While the core of the collection centers on cards from the Low Countries, the museum also presents examples from other regions, illustrating how different cultures shaped the look and symbolism of playing cards — from court figures and suit colors to deck formats. The exhibition also explains where today's familiar card designs came from and how they evolved over the centuries under the influence of fashion, printing technology, and local traditions. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the museum located? In Turnhout, in the Antwerp province of northern Belgium, inside a former playing card factory. How far back does the collection go? The exhibits cover more than 400 years of history, from the 16th century to the present day. Can visitors see the machines actually working? Yes — twice a month the museum runs demonstrations of its historic printing presses, including a steam-powered machine. Is the collection limited to Belgian cards? No — while the core of the collection is from Belgium and the Netherlands, examples from other parts of the world are also on display.

Literair Museum

Hasselt

Literair Museum is a small, intimate museum of children's literature housed in a historic townhouse at Bampslaan 35 in Hasselt, in the Flemish province of Limburg. The museum has occupied this building since 1997 and carried its original name, Literair Museum, from 1983 until 2017, when it was renamed Villa Verbeelding ("Villa of Imagination"). Despite the name change, many guides and maps still refer to it by its historic name, so visitors may come across either version when planning a trip. What is on display inside? The museum was designed primarily with children in mind, though its focus on book illustration and regional history also appeals to adults. Each room of the townhouse is dedicated to a different theme connected to literature, books, and illustration, turning a visit into a journey through a series of distinct "book worlds." The permanent exhibition blends interactive elements with more traditional museum presentation, which matters especially for younger visitors who engage with literature through play as much as through looking. What do the individual rooms focus on? One room is built around a fairy-tale theme centered on eating and drinking, a motif that recurs frequently in classic children's stories. Elsewhere in the building, visitors find so-called peep boxes — small viewing displays showing miniature scenes — paired with information about children's book authors and illustrators. A more unusual feature is a cellar arranged as a "mine," referencing the region's coal-mining history in Limburg; this blending of local heritage with literary content is one of the museum's distinctive traits. A separate display walks visitors step by step through how a book is made, from initial idea through illustration to printing and binding, making the museum a useful educational stop for school groups. Does the museum's program change over time? Alongside its permanent exhibition, Literair Museum / Villa Verbeelding regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, which means the museum rewards repeat visits as its program is refreshed with new topics related to children's literature and illustration. This format allows the museum to function not only as a fixed tourist attraction but also as an active cultural venue within the city. Who is this museum for? The museum is aimed primarily at families with children and school groups, but its strong focus on illustration and its regional touches, such as the mining-themed cellar, also make it worthwhile for adults exploring Hasselt without children who are looking for a lower-key, character-filled cultural stop. The setting inside a historic townhouse adds atmosphere to the visit — the building itself is part of the experience, not just a backdrop for the exhibits. Frequently asked questions Are Literair Museum and Villa Verbeelding the same place? Yes. The name Literair Museum was used from 1983 to 2017, after which the venue was renamed Villa Verbeelding — it remains the same building at Bampslaan 35 in Hasselt. Is the museum suitable for young children? Yes, the exhibition was designed with children in mind, with themed, interactive rooms that make it easy for younger visitors to engage with the content. Does the museum host temporary exhibitions? Yes, in addition to its permanent displays, the museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions, so it is worth checking the current program before visiting. What is in the museum's cellar? The cellar is arranged around the theme of coal mining in Limburg, an unusual pairing of regional heritage with the museum's literary focus.

Streekmuseum De Reinvoart

Loksbergen

Streekmuseum De Reinvoart is a small regional museum in Loksbergen, a village that forms part of the municipality of Halen in the western part of the Belgian province of Limburg. The museum occupies a traditional long-gabled farmhouse of the type typical for the Campine (Kempen) area, located at Hagelandstraat 1. It was founded in 1986 by local residents who wanted to preserve the everyday objects and customs of the old Hageland region before they disappeared. What can visitors see inside? The exhibition recreates daily life in the Hageland region around the year 1900. Visitors move through a series of rooms arranged as they would have looked more than a century ago: an old tavern where guests can taste a traditional herbal jenever, a schoolroom, a clog-maker's workshop, a dining room, and a bedroom. Alongside these reconstructed spaces, the museum displays a large collection of household items, agricultural tools, and everyday objects from the late 19th century, illustrating farm work and domestic life in this part of Limburg. Where does the museum's name come from? The name "Reinvoart" is an old dialect word for mugwort (common wormwood), a plant that has been used for centuries in cooking and in the preparation of herbal drinks and liqueurs. The choice of name reflects the local herbal tradition and the everyday use of plants that grew in the surrounding countryside. What is the museum's connection to the poet August Cuppens? The exhibition also highlights the poet August Cuppens, who served as parish priest in Loksbergen from 1899 to 1924. His presence in the museum's narrative links the history of the local community to the region's literary heritage, showing that Loksbergen was a place shaped not only by farming and craft but also by cultural life. Who runs the museum and how can it be visited? Streekmuseum De Reinvoart is a non-profit organisation run entirely by unpaid volunteers, who look after the collection and guide visitors through the exhibits. Because of its modest, community-driven character, visits must be arranged by appointment in advance, allowing for an unhurried, personal tour accompanied by stories about the region's history. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the museum located? At Hagelandstraat 1 in Loksbergen, a village belonging to the municipality of Halen in western Limburg. How old is the museum? It was founded in 1986, making it a long-standing local community initiative. What is the highlight of the exhibition? The reconstructed interiors of the old farmhouse — the tavern, schoolroom, clog-maker's workshop, dining room, and bedroom — along with the chance to taste traditional herbal jenever. Can visitors just walk in? No — visits are by appointment only, since the museum is staffed entirely by volunteers rather than permanent paid staff. Who would enjoy visiting this museum? Anyone interested in local history, the ethnography of the Hageland region, and traditional rural crafts and domestic life from more than a century ago.

Musée du Doudou

Musée du Doudou is a museum in Mons, Belgium, dedicated entirely to the Ducasse de Mons — the city's annual folk festival, inscribed in 2005 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The museum sits in the Jardin du Mayeur, right by the historic centre, and opened its doors in the first half of 2015. What is the Ducasse, and why does it need its own museum? The Ducasse de Mons is a centuries-old tradition combining a religious procession honouring Saint Waudru with a dramatic re-enactment of Saint George slaying the dragon, performed on the town's main square. For the people of Mons the event carries the weight of a local national holiday — which is why the city decided to create a permanent institution that tells its story to visitors year-round, not only during the few days of the actual celebration. What's inside The exhibition takes visitors along the footsteps of Saint George and the dragon, pairing original objects from the Mons municipal museum collections with large-format screens and interactive displays. Among the pieces on show are items tied directly to the ritual combat itself: the gilded lance used in the fight, the dragon's "teeth" traditionally handed out to the crowd as lucky charms, the medallions worn during the procession, and the seal of Saint Waudru, the city's patron saint. The museum's narrative deliberately avoids a single point of view — the Ducasse is presented in parallel as a historical, religious, anthropological and artistic phenomenon. This lets visitors trace how the ritual's meaning has shifted over the centuries, from a medieval procession of supplication to today's spectacle drawing thousands of participants and onlookers alike. Who is it for The museum appeals both to anyone curious about the history and folklore of Wallonia and to families with children — the interactive format and oversized screens make the legend of Saint George and the dragon engaging for younger visitors too. It's also a natural stop for anyone who happens to be in Mons around the Ducasse itself and wants a deeper understanding of the spectacle they've just watched. Frequently asked questions What is the Ducasse de Mons? It's the city's annual festival combining a religious procession honouring Saint Waudru with the re-enactment of Saint George fighting the dragon on the main square; it was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2005. Where exactly is the museum located? In the Jardin du Mayeur, in the centre of Mons, close to the old town's main landmarks. When did Musée du Doudou open? The museum opened in the first half of 2015. What are the standout objects on display? The gilded lance used in the ritual fight, the dragon's "teeth," the procession medallions, and the seal of Saint Waudru. Is it worth visiting outside the actual Ducasse dates? Yes — the exhibition is designed to convey the history and meaning of the festival year-round, independent of the actual celebration dates, through its collection and multimedia displays. What are the opening hours? Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00; shortened hours of 10:00–16:00 on 24 and 31 December; closed on 25 December and 1 January.

Stedelijk Museum Ieper

Ieper

Stedelijk Museum Ieper was the former municipal museum of Ypres, housed in the historic Sint-Jansgodshuis complex in the heart of the city — one of the few structures in Ypres that survived the First World War in a condition good enough to be restored to its original form rather than rebuilt from scratch. The building itself dates back to 1555, when it served as a godshuis (almshouse) attached to the Saint John's Hospital, long before it became home to the city's museum collection. What did the museum show? The exhibition traced the centuries-long history of Ypres through paintings, prints, maps and original photographs. Alongside this, visitors could see fine and applied art dating from the 16th century onward, including sculpture, graphic works, and objects crafted from tin, silver and other metals. A particularly notable part of the collection was dedicated to the Ypres-born painter Louise De Hem (1866–1922), whose extensive body of work formed one of the museum's highlights. How did the building survive the war? Ypres was almost completely flattened during the First World War, yet the 16th-century wing of the Sint-Jansgodshuis, though damaged, remained standing well enough to be restored rather than replaced. Between 1920 and 1922, architects Ernest Richir and Guillaume Veraart rebuilt the remaining parts of the complex — the chapel, service buildings and entrance gate — on their original foundations. As a result, the site today combines genuine pre-war fabric with a careful post-war reconstruction that respected the historic layout of the almshouse. Why is the museum no longer here? The Stedelijk Museum operated in the Sint-Jansgodshuis until the end of 2017. In the summer of 2018, a large part of its collection — including material on the city's history and the Louise De Hem works — was transferred to the newly opened Yper Museum, located in the famous Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle) in the centre of Ypres, next to the well-known In Flanders Fields Museum dedicated to the First World War. Since September 2019, the former Sint-Jansgodshuis buildings have housed a socio-artistic project called 'Dienst der Gedroomde Gewesten', giving the historic site a new, contemporary purpose. What should visitors to Ypres know? Although the museum no longer exists under its original name, the Sint-Jansgodshuis building remains a significant landmark in the history of Ypres' architecture, standing as evidence of how the city rebuilt itself after being almost entirely destroyed during the Great War. Visitors hoping to see the former municipal museum's collection should instead head to the Yper Museum in the Cloth Hall, where the paintings and artefacts documenting the city's history are now presented in a new setting. Frequently asked questions Can you still visit the Stedelijk Museum Ieper? No — the museum in this form closed at the end of 2017, and its collection was moved to the Yper Museum in the Cloth Hall. What was in the collection? Paintings, prints, maps and photographs, plus applied art from the 16th century onward, including an extensive collection of works by painter Louise De Hem. Did the building survive the First World War? Partially — the 16th-century wing survived well enough to be restored, while the rest of the complex was rebuilt between 1920 and 1922 following the original plans. What is in the former museum building today? Since 2019 it has housed the socio-artistic project 'Dienst der Gedroomde Gewesten'.