Museum Hof Van Busleyden

Mechelen, Belgium, Belgium

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Museum Hof Van Busleyden in Mechelen, Belgium, is housed in a fine example of a 15th and 16th-century city palace typical of the Low Countries.

It was originally built between 1496 and 1508 by François van Busleyden, a prominent humanist and counselor, who expanded the residence with help from the notable Keldermans architect family, adding wings, gardens, stables, and a beautiful gallery. Over the centuries, the palace served various functions, including as a Mount of Mercy offering loans to the poor, a kindergarten, and a music academy.

It suffered a devastating fire in 1914, leaving mostly walls and frescoes intact. After restoration, it reopened as a museum in 1938, dedicated to the rich Burgundian heritage of Mechelen. Renovations between 2018 and 2024 refreshed the museum’s exhibitions, focusing on the Burgundian-Habsburg period and notable historical figures like Margaret of Austria and Hiëronymus van Busleyden.

The museum showcases art, craftsmanship, and the historical life of Mechelen through a layout inspired by the original city palaceMuseum Hof Van Busleyden.