An unmissable historical complex, The Erasmus House and the Beguinage are two of the oldest municipal museums in Belgium. Dutch Renaissance humanist, Erasmus, stayed in this house in 1521 and the house was converted into a museum in 1932. Today, the house hosts both a museum and a study center. In the museum visitors can see a collection of ancient paintings, Gothic sculptures, and furniture. The study center contains one of the largest collections of 16th-century volumes, as well as thousands of early printed books, which can only be visited by researchers and people consulting the ancient books. Take a tour through several rooms of the house and discover private and intellectual life of this great humanist and scholar.
The Erasmus House also contains two unique green gardens that serve as medicinal and philosophical green spaces. The medicine garden is a botanical portrait of Erasmus the humanist, home to about 100 plants from the 16th century, which Erasmus used to treat himself for illness. The philosophical garden contains several plants and flowers that Erasmus saw during his numerous journeys.
Erasmus House Museum and Beguinage, Rue du Chapitre 31, Anderlecht, Brussels, Belgium, + 32 252 113 83
The former home of the Beguines, Catholic lay sisters and mostly widows of Crusaders, this particular beguinage located in Anderlecht was one the smallest in Belgium. It is composed of two buildings, one from the 16th and the other from the 18th century, which are grouped around a garden from where you have a view of the Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Guidon. The Museum was set up in 1930, and it houses a collection of objects of archaeological interest, religious art and a local history collection, which documents a thousand years of Anderlecht history.
One of the most remarkable Gothic-style churches in the Brussels Region. Built between the 14th and 16th centuries, this particular building is dedicated to St. Peter and Guido van Anderlecht, a local farmer’s son who went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Rome. The Romanesque crypt, situated beneath the choir, is one of the oldest and most interesting in the country, as it contains a monument formed from an ancient tombstone, which dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries, known as the Saint Guidon tombstone. The church also contains a rich collection of funerary monuments and numerous works of art.
Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Guidon, Place de la Vaillance, Anderlecht, Brussels, Belgium, +32 252 302 20
The monument honors the Jews who were deported from Belgium to concentration camps in the East. Moreover, it commemorates the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. This monument was inaugurated in 1970, and it can also be used as a roofless synagogue.
The Abattoir Market is all-in-one. Flea market, food market, antique market and cultural spot. The multicultural, colorful stalls and the enormous variety of products guarantee a delightful experience. And under the surface of the market hall is a remarkable underground area know as the Cellars, which is a magnificent space composed of handcrafted pillars and vaults from the 19th century. Both the market and cellars make excellent choices for hosting your next event.
The Boeremet, unique after-work party spot, is a place where atmosphere and gastronomy meet each other. After a long day at work all you need is a cozy atmosphere, with a DJ and lots of food and drink, every Thursday from 5pm to 10pm. If you are looking for an original event location, The Cellars is the right place for you. This 20th-century basement organizes numerous events, from parties, seminars, and fairs, to grand balls, gala dinners, and exhibitions.
Abattoir Market, Rue Ropsy Chaudron 24, Anderlecht, Brussels, Belgium, +32 252 154 19
The Cellars | © Geoffrey Ferroni | Courtesy of Abattoir
This historical monument stands on top of a hill in Anderlecht and it is the only working windmill in the Brussels region. The Luizenmolen mill is a replica of its forerunner, which was relocated to Anderlecht in 1864. Every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, from 2pm to 5pm, you can discover how this mill works and how flour was traditionally made. In addition, since 1999 an annual folkloric festival is held here every June.
The Luizenmolen mill, Rue des Papillons 192, Anderlecht, Brussels, Belgium, +32 252 043 59
By Ana Stambolic
