Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

About

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, situated in the heart of Brussels, are a collective of six museums that showcase a vast and diverse collection of European art from the 15th to the 21st centuries. Founded in 1801, the complex is housed in the elegant Palace of Fine Arts and includes the Oldmasters Museum, the Magritte Museum, the Fin‑de‑Siècle Museum, the Modern Museum, the Antoine Wiertz Museum, and the Constantin Meunier Museum. It is renowned for its masterpieces by Flemish painters such as Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and the Bruegel family, as well as its world‑famous surrealist collection at the Magritte Museum. Visitors can explore masterpieces spanning five centuries, from the early Netherlandish paintings of the 15th century to the avant‑garde works of the twentieth century. The Oldmasters Gallery offers an exceptional journey through Flemish art, while the Rubens Room houses more than twenty paintings by the master himself. The Magritte Museum presents an encyclopedic catalogue of the surrealist’s works, and the Fin‑de‑Siècle Museum captures Brussels’ artistic crossroads with its Art Nouveau and Symbolist pieces. The complex's location in Brussels’ historic district places it near other cultural treasures such as the Grand Place and the Royal Palace. Its multilingual visitors centre and guided tours make it a welcoming destination for art lovers, families, and scholars alike. The Royal Museums of Fine Arts are celebrated not only for their extraordinary collection but also for their impeccable conservation, scholarly programmes, and educational outreach, which enrich the cultural life of Belgium and beyond.

Highlights

• Rubens Room
• Oldmasters Gallery
• Magritte Collection
• Fin‑de‑Siècle Hall

Must-See Areas

Good to Know

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 4 hours