Discover the Horta Museum in Brussels: Art Nouveau in all its splendor.

The Horta Museum in Brussels: a dive into Art Nouveau.

During your visit to Brussels, book your tickets to the Horta Museum and discover an essential experience of Art Nouveau in the Belgian capital. Explore the residence of Victor Horta, designed by the architect himself, who dedicated a significant part of his life to it. This site is divided into two parts: his personal residence, where he lived with his family, and his work studio, now transformed into a museum showcasing his life and work.

Victor Horta, a renowned Belgian architect in the Art Nouveau style, was also a talented draftsman and decorator. He was famous for using materials such as stone, steel, glass, and curves, including double curves, to create architectural elements inspired by nature. That’s why Victor Horta is considered the pioneer of Art Nouveau in architecture.

Exploring Art Nouveau at the Horta Museum.

A visit to the Horta Museum in Brussels will immerse you not only in the life and work of the architect but also in the world of Art Nouveau, characterized by flowing curves, arabesques, vibrant colors, and ornaments on various surfaces such as stained glass and furniture. This artistic period emerged between 1890 and 1914, marking a time of industrial revolution and the rise of a new bourgeoisie outside the city center of Brussels.

By the end of your visit to the Horta Museum, you will be well-versed in Art Nouveau and may even identify many other buildings designed by Victor Horta in Brussels, including the famous Tassel, Solvay, and Van Eetvelde hotels, to name a few.

What can you explore at the Horta Museum?

A visit to the Horta Museum offers you the opportunity to explore three aspects of the house: the facade, the private part, and the professional part.

Private part of Victor Horta’s House:

In the private part of the house, you’ll discover a small entrance hall leading to the right to the architect’s studio and to the left to the waiting room, including the parlor, dressing rooms, and toilets. The hall features a double glass door made of American glass, adorned with floral motifs and a handle reminiscent of dragonfly wings. Passing through this door, you’ll be dazzled by a finned radiator seamlessly integrated into the decor as a column, marking the beginning of a majestic staircase. This staircase is made of Carrara marble, with a mahogany handrail, symbolizing the backbone of the house. Climb this staircase to reach the bel étage, consisting of a music room facing the street and a dining room facing the garden. You’ll find a variety of materials here, including American ash, sycamore for furniture, and Hungarian oak for the parquet. Don’t miss the gold details and sculptures. Continue your visit to the upper floors to discover the family room, boudoir, bedroom, guest bedroom, and the little girl’s room adorned with works by Victor Horta. The top floor is reserved for staff, and at the top of the staircase, you’ll be amazed by a magnificent stained glass window that floods the space with light.

Professional Part:

In the professional part, explore the materials and architectural details of Victor Horta’s work studio. On the first floor, you’ll find a peaceful space adorned with a fresco composed of drawings by Art Nouveau artists. At the opposite end of the building is Victor Horta’s office, accompanied by a waiting room for his clients and collaborators. Go up one floor to reach Victor Horta’s drawing studio and that of his 19 draftsmen, where you’ll discover the architect’s creative process based on simple sketches. Descend two floors to reach the sculpture studio located in the basement. Finally, follow the glass stairs behind the studio, leading to the kitchen-cellar and the underground cellar, which opens up to a beautiful little garden.

Facade of the Horta House:

The facade of the Horta House is a masterpiece in itself, adorned with white Euville and Savonnières stone. Victor Horta meticulously showcased construction materials and structural elements. The most remarkable feature is the riveted flat iron and the whip-like motifs that define the ornamentation of the house. The whip-like ornamentation is characterized by fluid lines, graceful curves, undulations, and arabesques, all inspired by nature. You’ll also appreciate decorative details in bronze and other high-quality materials. You won’t miss the ornamentation at the top of the facade, reminiscent of dragonfly wings. You can closely observe the plaque bearing Horta’s name, the mailbox slot, the handle, and the doorbell, as well as the house number sculpted in stone. To top it all off, the ironwork has been painted in an ocher tone to evoke the warmth of wood.

Practical Information:

Prices:

• Adults – €10.00
• Students (from 18 years) – €5.00
• Seniors (65 and over), Belgian job seekers, Saint-Gillois – €6.00
• Primary and secondary schools, children aged 6 to 18 – €3.00

How to Get to the Horta Museum in Brussels?

Address: rue Américaine 27, 1060 Brussels (Saint-Gilles).

To access the Horta Museum, use one of the following tram lines:

• Tram 81, from Montgomery to Janson stop.
• Tram 92, from Place Royale to Royale stop to Janson.
• Tram 97, from Place Royale to Royale stop to Janson.

You can also take bus line 54 near Avenue Louise and get off at Trinité. For the more adventurous, you can walk from the center of Brussels in just 33 minutes.

Opening Hours:

The Horta Museum is open from Tuesday to Friday from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM, as well as on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM, but it is closed on Mondays.

Want to Explore Art Nouveau in Brussels?

While a visit to the Horta Museum is a must, Brussels is filled with other Art Nouveau treasures to explore. To learn more, check out the tours offered by Bravo Discovery:

• Discover everything about Art Nouveau in Brussels by booking our free tour “Free Art Nouveau Tour in Brussels” on our Bravo Discovery website. It takes place every Saturday at 10:00 AM starting from the Grand-Place, right in front of the Town Hall. The price for these free tours is at your discretion!
• If your passion for Art Nouveau knows no bounds, Bravo Discovery offers a private and personalized tour “Guided Art Nouveau and Art Deco Tour in Brussels” to answer all your questions.
• Finally, if the visit to the Horta Museum in Brussels isn’t enough to satisfy your appetite for Art Nouveau or if you’re fascinated by Victor Horta’s work, explore other Art Nouveau-style buildings in the capital, including the Tassel, Solvay, Van Eetvelde hotels, and many more. A visit to the Horta Museum in Brussels is undeniably a must during your stay in the city.

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