Museum Mayer van den Bergh

About the museum

The museum goes back to the art collection of Fritz Mayer van den Bergh (1858–1901), an Antwerp collector who mainly bought Late Gothic art. An important moment was the purchase of the collection of Carlo Micheli in Paris in 1898. After his early death, his mother Henriëtte van den Bergh had a new building erected to keep the collection together.

The museum opened in 1904. The building by architect Joseph Hertogs was conceived as a late medieval house with a Late Gothic and early Renaissance façade, but was built using modern construction techniques. It grew out of the collection of a single man and is now more than a hundred years old.

The museum is famous for Pieter Bruegel the Elder's Dulle Griet. It also owns, among other works, a Christ and John group from 1280–1290 by Heinrich von Konstanz and Bruegel's “Twaalf spreuken op borden”. The museum is being enlarged with the neighbouring Hof van Arenberg, the corner house where the Mayer van den Bergh family lived, and a new building at the rear. For as long as the works last, the main building is not accessible, and a selection of highlights is on show in the Maagdenhuis.

Highlights

• Dulle Griet by Pieter Bruegel the Elder
• Christ and John group (1280–1290) by Heinrich von Konstanz
• Collection of the Paris collector Carlo Micheli

Permanent exhibition

• Publiekslievelingen. Een intieme blik op meesterwerken – Selection of highlights from the collection, including Bruegel's Dulle Griet, temporarily on show in the Maagdenhuis while the museum building is being renovated.

Founded

1904

Operated by

Stad Antwerpen

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Tuesday of the month free for Antwerp residents with an A-kaart.

Free admission also for holders of an A-kaart with reduced rate, a UiTPAS with VT status, a Museumpas, an Antwerp City Pass, an ICOM card or the Klasse Lerarenkaart (teacher card), carers of people with disabilities and school groups with a teacher. Free admission requires a reservation via the ticket system. Only a valid e-ticket gives access; payment is cashless only. Tickets are only refunded or exchanged if the museum cancels the visit.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair users can visit the rooms if a companion can help; the companion enters free of charge. Wheelchairs cannot be borrowed, but folding stools are available. There are no adapted toilets. Hard-of-hearing visitors receive a free visitor guide at the desk.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Pushchairs are allowed and can be left at the desk. A changing table is in the toilet area (ask at the desk). Backpacks with a child are not allowed; baby carriers are allowed. Young people under 18 enter free of charge.

Getting there & parking

Antwerp is a low-emission zone (LEZ). The Rubenshuis is about 500 metres away.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Lockers

Restaurant Samenloop is located in the Maagdenhuis (lunch Wednesday to Saturday 12:00–15:30, dinner Wednesday to Saturday 18:00–23:00; a guest chef changes the menu every two months). Coats, backpacks and umbrellas can be stored in lockers; backpacks are not allowed in the exhibition.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit