Belgium's Museumpass grants access to over 245 cultural institutions around the country
As the summer comes to a close, indoor activities for the upcoming fall and winter months will take centre stage. Belgium’s MuseumPASSmusée opens the doors to over 245 museums around Flanders and Wallonia.
With a museumpass, the cultural heart of Belgium unfurls. From the Flemish Primitives such as Jan Van Eyck to the Flemish Masters including Peter Paul Rubens to the birth of Art Nouveau and Surrealism and even one of the original hubs of comics, Belgium has been a consistent player in some of the most important art movements. The museums strewn across the country reflect this country's massive history and contributions to art.
While most museums in Belgium offer an affordable entry fee, the museumpass costs 59 euros per year and allows unlimited admission to all participating museums. The pass also often grants admission to temporary exhibitions or reduces the entry fee.
“The main thing I like most about the museum is that I can decide on a leisurely day to casually visit a museum,” says Quinten Tops, a 21-year-old nursing student from Antwerp. The card makes museum visits more convenient and enjoyable. Instead of rushing to see everything in a single day, visitors can take their time, knowing they can return whenever they like. The museum adds a sense of spontaneity, allowing for impromptu visits such as a quick stop during a lunch break, reducing the pressure to see everything in the museum's collection.
Occasionally, a visit can be solely for one painting or sculpture. “My all-time favourite artwork I was able to see with the museumpass was Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Kings of Egypt II that hangs in Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA),” states Tops. “Sometimes I visit the museum just to go see that singular piece.”
Luc De Meyer (26), a Belgian pianist, also enjoys the flexibility that comes with the pass. “What is nice is that the museumpass took away the need to think about which museums to visit or if it was worth the entrance fee. You just go inside, and if you like it, you stay for a couple of hours, and if you really like it, you might revisit the next day. If not, you just can leave.”
As far as cost, Augusto Santaella (37), an engineer from Mexico who has lived in Belgium for over ten years, finds the pass beneficial, saying, “The price is fair considering everything you can visit and that you can visit the same museum several times to enjoy it your pace.”
Both Santaella and Tops use their card at least once a month and share that their favourite museums are in Antwerp: The Photo Museum Antwerp (FoMu) and Museum Mayer van den Bergh, respectively. For De Meyer, the Groeningemuseum in Brugge, the Museum de Reede in Antwerp, and the Botanical Garden Meise made the most significant impression.
The pass offers more than just museum entry; it includes added benefits such as free or discounted merchandise at select locations and five NMBS Discovery Tickets for half-price round-trip train journeys. The museumpass is available for purchase online or at any participating museum.
(MOH)
©BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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