The building was originally constructed as a luxury department store called Old England.
The facade is characterized by its intricate wrought ironwork and large glass windows.
The collection includes the 'luthéal', an experimental instrument used by Maurice Ravel.
Many of the instruments are part of the personal collection of King Leopold II.
The museum uses sensor-activated audio technology to allow visitors to hear the instruments without glass barriers blocking the sound.
The collection contains the earliest known examples of certain mechanical organs and street pianos.
The Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) is housed in the Old England building, a notable example of Art Nouveau architecture designed by Paul Saintenoy in 1899. The museum collection comprises over 1,200 instruments exhibited across four floors, tracing the history of Western and non-Western music. Visitors receive infrared headphones upon entry, which automatically play audio samples of the instruments when standing in front of specific displays. The collection spans from the Middle Ages to the present day, featuring rare prototypes and historical masterpieces. It is part of the Royal Museums of Art and History of Belgium. The top floor features a restaurant with a panoramic terrace overlooking the city center.
The exterior Art Nouveau facade from the street level or the panoramic city view from the top floor terrace.
Use the infrared headphones provided at the entrance to fully engage with the audio-guided exhibits.
Visit the top-floor terrace for one of the best unobstructed views of the Brussels skyline.
The museum is spread across multiple levels, so start from the top floor and work your way down.
Do not skip the top floor if the terrace is open, as it offers a unique vantage point of the city that many tourists overlook.
Closed on Mondays.
