03. Old England – Museum of Musical Instruments

Situated on the upper slopes of the Mont des Arts, the Old England building is one of the most remarkable examples of Brussels Art Nouveau. Commissioned in 1898 by the eponymous fabric shops from the architect Paul Saintenoy, this building and its entirely metal structure left a lasting mark on both the public imagination and the capital’s skyline. The exposed iron and glass structure supports the seven storeys and represents a technical feat, the first of its kind in the Kingdom. The building retained its original use until 1974 and was purchased by the State in 1979, with the aim of establishing the Museum of Musical Instruments there. Following a restoration programme that began in the early 1990s, the museum opened its doors in 2000. The guided tour of the Old England subsequently gives you access to the MIM.