Planétarium de l'Observatoire royal de Belgique

About the museum

The Brussels Planetarium is a federal scientific institution attached to the Royal Observatory of Belgium. Its history begins with the 1935 World Exhibition, for which the Alberteum was built on the Heysel as part of the science pavilion. This building, dedicated to King Albert I’s idea of bringing industry and science closer together, had lecture, cinema and exhibition rooms, a restaurant and a planetarium under a dome 23 metres in diameter, equipped with a planetarium projector built in Jena.

It operated until 1939, reopened in 1954, and closed in 1966 because the building was deteriorating. At the end of 1968 the City of Brussels decided to demolish the Alberteum and rebuild a new planetarium on the same site; it was completed in 1974 and inaugurated in 1976. The Royal Observatory of Belgium has managed it since 1979.

The former Zeiss projector was replaced in 2009 by a digital system of eight video projectors, and then in 2021 by a laser projection installation capable of images up to 8K. With 840 m², the dome is the largest in Belgium and seats up to 340 spectators, who travel through space while seated: the movements of the sky, the surface of Mars, the rings of Saturn, the Milky Way. The programme includes 360° films for all ages, often followed by a presentation of the current night sky, as well as astronomy lessons for schools. The planetarium is not a museum in the strict sense, but its foyer presents a few small exhibitions.

Highlights

• Belgium’s largest dome (840 m², up to 340 seats)
• 360° films projected by laser in very high definition
• Presentation of the current night sky after some films
• Show for toddlers aged 3 to 7
• Audio headsets to follow the films in French, Dutch or English

Permanent exhibition

• Films à 360° dans la coupole du planétarium – Permanent programme of full-dome films on the universe, the Solar System and the climate, suited to different ages; a few small exhibitions in the foyer.

Founded

1935

Operated by

Observatoire royal de Belgique

Admission & discounts

Prices are per film. On presentation of an Atomium ticket, you receive a one-euro discount on admission to the planetarium; conversely, a planetarium ticket entitles you to a discount at the Atomium (individual tickets). Group combo Planetarium + Atomium on reservation.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Each film indicates a recommended age: a show for toddlers aged 3 to 7, films for ages 6 to 12, and several films from 8, 10 or 12 years.

Getting there & parking

By car via the Ring 0, exit 8 (Wemmel), first left after the Stade Roi Baudouin. By train: Brussels-Midi or Bockstael station, then metro line 6 towards Roi Baudouin.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit