Musée des Sœurs Noires

About the museum

The Sœurs Noires (Black Sisters) came from the cellites, a medieval movement of service to the poor that arose in the Rhineland and was very widespread in the Netherlands in the 14th century. They cared in particular for plague victims and could count on the support of the population. In 1459, Pope Pius II allowed cellite communities to adopt the Rule of Saint Augustine and to take vows; they then became known as the Sœurs Noires.

The Brussels convent is first mentioned in 1465 in an aldermen’s letter. Without being the largest in the city, it was rather prosperous, as Brussels was the administrative and political capital of the country. In 1998, the community left central Brussels, and part of its heritage was entrusted to the asbl Amis de la Basilique nationale de Koekelberg, which set up a museum space for these objects.

The collection includes objects of worship and elements of everyday life: 16th- to 19th-century Flemish School paintings, Flemish oak furniture, silverware, pewter, porcelain and copper tableware, Flemish religious sculptures from the 14th to the 19th century, and Brussels and Flemish lace from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Highlights

• Flemish School paintings (16th–19th century)
• Flemish oak furniture
• Silverware, pewter, porcelain and copper
• Flemish religious sculptures from the 14th to the 19th century
• Brussels and Flemish lace

Operated by

Asbl Amis de la Basilique nationale de Koekelberg

Admission & discounts

Admission to the basilica’s panorama includes a visit to the museum. No separate ticket for the museum is indicated.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The museum is within the grounds of the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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