Belgian Comics Museum

The building was designed in 1905 by the famous architect Victor Horta in the Art Nouveau style and initially served as a textile shop called Magasins Waucquez. After the owner Waucquez passed away in 1920, the building fell into disrepair and the shop closed its doors completely in 1970. One of Horta's former assistants, Jean Delhaye, saved the building from demolition and ensured that it was placed under protection on October 16, 1975. However, during this period the building fell into poor condition and was frequently vandalized.

In 1980, architect Jean Breydel and comic book artists François Schuiten, Bob de Moor, Alain Baran, Guy Dessicy and Hergé restored the building, Belgium decided to launch a project to turn it into a museum dedicated to the history of comics. Initially, the museum was planned to be dedicated to Hergé, but Hergé decided to dedicate the entire museum to Belgium He suggested that it should pay tribute to the comics industry. In 1983, the Belgian Minister of Public Works, Louis Olivier, decided to purchase the building by the Directorate of Buildings and declare it a national property. In 1984, a fund was created with the participation of Flemish and Walloon comics artists. In 1986, restoration work began on the building to modern standards, while remaining faithful to its original architectural details. In the process, ItalyThe mosaics brought from were reconstructed by Italian masters whose profession is no longer practiced in Belgium.

The museum was officially opened on October 6, 1989, with the participation of King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola. In the autumn of 2015, its permanent exhibition was rearranged and modernized.

Museum Structure

The Belgian Comics Museum offers visitors a variety of spaces to explore the world of comics. On the ground floor there is a restaurant, a special room dedicated to Victor Horta, a comics shop called “Slumberland”, a large library with a reading room and a study centre.

On the first floor, there is an auditorium, a gallery displaying original comics pages from various artists, and an area dedicated to the Belgian animation industry, particularly Belvision. This section is of great interest to visitors interested in the history of comics and animation.

On the second floor, there is a permanent exhibition called “Imagination Museum”. This exhibition focuses on the chronological history of Belgian media and covers the pioneers of Belgian comics from 1929 to 1958, starting with Hergé and ending with Peyo. The exhibition includes important works of the period, such as Spirou and Tintin magazines, and has rooms dedicated to each artist, presenting their work in an entertaining way.

The last floor is reserved for comic book sales and also hosts temporary exhibitions. This floor allows comic book lovers to meet with special collections and limited edition works.

Exhibited Comic Book Artists and Their Works

Among Flemish artists, Willy Vandersteen, Marc Sleen, Bob de Moor and Morris stand out, while other artists come from the Walloon region or BrükselJacques Martin, who appeared in Tintin and Tibet, was born in France.

The Belgian Comics Museum is not just a museum, it is a cultural treasure, with its fascinating Art Nouveau architecture, rich Belgian comics history and intriguing spaces displaying unforgettable works. Paying tribute to the legendary names of Belgian comics art, from Hergé to Franquin, Morris to Peyo, this museum offers a unique experience for both comics enthusiasts and culture enthusiasts. With its extensive collections, interactive exhibitions and warm atmosphere, it is an attraction that will appeal to visitors of all ages.

If you want to discover other historical and cultural points in Brussels, "Places to Visit in Brussels" You can take a look at our article.