The reasons for visiting the Musee des Instruments de Musique (the Museum of Musical Instruments, colloquially known as the MIM in Brussels) are twofold: naturally, this is the place to go if you were a band geek, orchestra nerd, or otherwise musically inclined either during your childhood or today–or even, for that matter, if you just like music. The MIM fancies itself a museum of the new generation: professional, exciting and open to his public. With respect for the past, it also presents new technology in all modes of operation (for you museum management buffs). Frankly, we just really dig their collection of musical instruments, one of the largest collections in the world. But it’s not just the instruments; it’s how they work, how they sound, what they do…a Belgian answer to Vienna’s Haus der Musik, as it were. We also just really like saying MIM.

The other great thing about the MIM is the building in which it makes its home–an architectural masterpiece of art nouveau. It’s a pretty large building, which makes sense when you factor in the size of the collection: the ground floor is dedicated to popular instruments, from Belgium and Europe. The first floor offers up a tour of instruments from antiquity to the 20th century; the second floor a more in-depth study of keyboard instruments and stringed instruments. The basement holds the mechanical instruments, 20th-century instruments and bells. Grand total: over 1,500 instruments, 200 sound samples, and some 700 documents.

And the price is right when you work out the math. Normal entry is 5 Euro. Students under 26, seniors over 65, foreign teachers, and groups of 15 or more (now’s your time to make friends) get in for 4 Euro. The unemployed and disabled get in for 1.50 Euro. Belgian teachers and students under 12 are free. And everybody gets in free the first Wednesday of the month from 1:00 pm onwards. So you can save your money for more important things in Belgium, like waffles and chocolate and ale.


Thanks, Squonk11!

Musee des Instruments de Musique
Rue Montagne de la Cour 2
+ 32 (0)2 / 545.01.30
Metro Lines 1A or 1B to Central Station or Park
Closed Mondays
Tues-Fri 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Sat & Sun: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
http://www.mim.fgov.be/