The BELvue Museum is housed in a five-level neoclassical building dating from the late 18th century, the Hôtel Belle-Vue, part of an architectural complex built after the Palace of Coudenberg burned down in 1731. It was originally built by Philippe de Proft to install a luxury hotel for travellers.[1]
In 1977, the Hôtel Belle-Vue was converted into a museum building, housing a collection from the nearby Royal Museums of Art and History. After 1992, two small museums opened in the building relating to the history of the Belgian monarchy: the Dynasty Museum (French: Musée de la Dynastie, Dutch: Museum van de Dynastie) and the King Baudouin Memorial (French: Mémorial Roi Baudouin, Dutch: Memorial Koning Boudewijn).
In 2005, the Hôtel Belle-Vue reopened as a museum devoted to the history of Belgium, presenting a chronological display about the nation's history since 1830.
Museum
Since its opening, the BELvue Museum, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation (KBF), has completely renewed its permanent exhibition. Employing a theme-based approach and with a modern, interactive exhibition layout, the museum offers visitors the keys to understanding Belgium and Belgian society.
Seven social themes are addressed in the rooms: democracy, prosperity, solidarity, pluralism, migration, language and Europe. Each theme is firstly presented from the perspective of the present day, then subsequently developed and explained through the history of Belgium.
This overview of Belgium's past and present is complemented by a gallery of more than 200 objects. Presented chronologically from the 19th century to today, the pieces embody Belgium's "physical memory". Visitors will find everyday objects, works of art and design, well-known brands, scientific discoveries, references to great sporting achievements, as well as objects that recall the richness of the country's popular culture.[2]
