Historium Brugge
Experience museum on the Markt in Bruges: a journey back in time to the medieval Waterhalle and Jan van Eyck, with film, sets, VR, an exhibition and a tower.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Historium started in 2006 as a tourism project by several West Flemish families who wanted to give Bruges extra lustre. Together with a historical committee, a number of medieval scenes were reconstructed in the form of an attraction. The building on the corner of the Markt and the Philipstockstraat dates from 1910–1914; renovation work began at the end of 2011 and the film was shot in 2012. The Historium officially opened on 25 November 2012.
It stands on the site of the former Waterhalle, the central warehouse for shipping in the Bruges trading centre, which is recreated in the Historium Story and in the Virtual Reality. In seven thematic rooms you experience a love story from the time of Jan van Eyck through film, sets and special effects; an audio guide tells the story of the Golden Age of Bruges.
New elements were added after the opening: the Historium Virtual Reality since 2015, the neo-Gothic Historium Tower since 2019 (35 metres high, 145 steps) with a view over the Markt and the Belfry, and in 2025 the exhibition De Wonderlijke Waterhalle in the Historium Exhibition. This interactive exhibition gives historical explanations about medieval Bruges and Jan van Eyck, and shows how historians and designers made the Historium Story.
Highlights
- Historium Story: a journey through time in seven thematic rooms with film, sets and special effects
- Historium Virtual Reality: a virtual flight over medieval Bruges
- Historium Exhibition with the exhibition De Wonderlijke Waterhalle
- Historium Tower with a 360° view over the Markt and the Belfry
- Duvelorium Belgian Beer Bar and panoramic terrace
Permanent exhibitions
- Historium Story – A journey through time in seven thematic rooms with film, sets and special effects, around a love story from the time of Jan van Eyck.
- Historium Exhibition – De Wonderlijke Waterhalle – Interactive exhibition on medieval Bruges, Jan van Eyck, the Waterhalle, the city map and the city walls.
- Historium Virtual Reality – A virtual flight past the most important buildings of medieval Bruges that have since disappeared.
- Founded
- 2012
- Operated by
- Historium NV
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €22 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €18Students and young people, seniors aged 65 and over, and people with a disability (Historium Story ticket) |
| Children & teens | €14free up to age 4 · Children aged 5 to 12 pay €14 for the Historium Story; children aged 0 to 4 enter free. |
| Seniors | €18From 65 years old. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €18Visitors with a visual or hearing impairment and an EDC card get free admission to the Historium Story and the Historium Exhibition. |
| Students & apprentices | €18Students and young people |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Groups of 15 or more reserve via the form, preferably at least 10 working days in advance. Example ticket Story + VR for groups: adults €26, students and seniors €22, children (6–12 years) €18. School groups: Historium Story €8.50 (primary education) and €11.50 (secondary education); Story + VR €11.50 (primary education) and €14.50 (secondary education). |
| Ticket Historium Story + VR + Exhibition, adult | €28Students/young people and seniors (65+) €24, children (6–12 years) €20, people with a disability €24 |
| Historium Tower (including Historium Exhibition) | €14Only at the ticket desk; €5 in combination with a Story + VR ticket. Minimum height 1.40 m. |
| Historium Virtual Reality (only) | €12€6 in combination with a visit to the Historium Story; from 6 years old; only at the ticket desk |
| Combi ticket Historium Story + Groeningemuseum | €32Only at the Historium ticket desk; last admission to the Groeningemuseum at 16:00; the Groeningemuseum is closed on Mondays |
Residents of Bruges get free admission to the Historium Story and the Historium Exhibition on presentation of their identity card (for individual visits only, not combinable with other benefits). Holders of a UiTPAS can collect points; with an increased allowance an adjusted rate applies.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Historium is largely wheelchair-accessible; some parts require assistance or an adapted route. The entrance is reached via a gently sloping surface to the inner courtyard (cobblestones) and a lift; there are two accessible parking spaces next to the building (Philipstockstraat 5). A maximum of two wheelchair users are admitted per show; a standard wheelchair is available free of charge at the ticket desk (subject to availability). The Historium Story is not suitable for electric wheelchairs or mobility scooters. The Historium Virtual Reality is experienced seated. The Historium Tower can only be reached via 145 steps. The lift has Braille buttons, and there is an induction loop for hard-of-hearing visitors in the Story. Assistance dogs and guide dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly: not available
- Baby changing facilities
Children aged 5 to 12 pay a children's rate (under 5s go free to the Story). The Virtual Reality is from 6 years old and the tower from 1.40 m. Pushchairs are not allowed in the attractions but can be left at the desk; there is a changing table in the toilets.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bruges has train connections with, among others, Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Kortrijk, Ostend, Knokke and Blankenberge. From Brugge station, De Lijn buses marked Centrum run to the Markt; there are several stops right near the Markt.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The Historium has no car park of its own. Within walking distance are the underground car parks Centrum Station, 't Zand, Zilverpand and 't Pandreitje; at Parking Centrum Station there is a good-value rate when booking in advance. Next to the Historium (Philipstockstraat 5) there are two parking spaces for people with a disability. Coach parking: Parking Bargeweg.
- Accessible parking
Coaches are not allowed to enter the centre of Bruges. The Historium is on the Markt, in the centre.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
Duvelorium Belgian Beer Bar, a shop with souvenirs and Duvel collectibles, free lockers in the basement and free Wi-Fi. Toilets in the basement are free with your ticket; anyone who does not visit the museum pays €1. There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet and a baby corner.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (NL, FR, EN, DE, ES, IT, PT, RU, JA, ZH, AR) |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | A visit to the Historium Story and the Exhibition takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour; with the Virtual Reality allow about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. In the Historium Story up to 20 people can start every 5 minutes; in the tower up to 10 people every 15 minutes. Backpacks and handbags can be taken into the attractions; in the tower they are not allowed. Individual visitors do not need to book. |
