A surprising visit to the Historium in Bruges

From the wacky like the Chocolate Museum, the French Fry Museum and the Beer Museum. There's no shortage of museums in Bruges, from the enigmatic Museum of Torture to the classic Groening Museum. History buffs won't be outdone by the Historium museum in Bruges, where you can take a step back in time. Through a series of immersive rooms, the museum immerses you in the city of Bruges in medieval times, using special effects. It's a fascinating experience that will take you back in time. Young and old are sure to be fascinated by the show. It's the perfect way to get everyone excited about history.

You're sure to be surprised by the museum, because it's nothing like a traditional museum. In fact, to create this museum that traces the history of the city, Bruges has put all its faith in... new technologies. Gone are the old grimoires and collections from another age, and now you'll be plunged into the future to discover the past. With its immersive virtual reality tour, sets and special effects, the Historium invites you to step back in time and discover more about life in the Middle Ages. Above all, the museum is designed to be fun, which may not be to everyone's liking. Indeed, the historical side of the visit leaves some visitors a little to be desired, as the whole tour is focused on the fun and interactive side of the visit. Nonetheless, the museum is still very interesting and really seeks to plunge visitors into the heart of the Middle Ages. The Hisotrium is located on the Grand-Place, where the "Waterhalle" once stood, a covered warehouse where ships were loaded and unloaded. The museum has decided to recreate the site as faithfully as possible to make your visit even more real.

The Bruges Historium is located in the very centre of the city. It is housed in a magnificent neo-Gothic building built in 1902 on the Grote Markt. It replaces the Waterhalle, the port warehouse that was the nerve centre and commercial heart of the city. It was demolished in 1787 and replaced by a provincial palace, which in turn gave way to a fire that destroyed it less than a century later. The Hisotrium is therefore ideally placed to retrace the city's tumultuous history. During your visit, you'll have the chance to wander through no fewer than seven themed rooms, following the adventures of Jacob. Armed with an audio guide, you'll make your way through the museum as you go, your senses tingling as you follow in the footsteps of young apprentice Jacob on a quest for love that will take him to the four corners of the city. This story created by the museum is inspired by the famous painting "The Virgin and Child with Canon van der Paele" by Jan van Eyck, a renowned Flemish primitive painter. You'll experience an exciting exploration of the city as you discover medieval life in Bruges.

You'll also have the chance to try out virtual reality, including the experience of flying over Bruges as it was in the Middle Ages. For 10 minutes you can admire the medieval architecture through virtual reality goggles. Buildings that have disappeared are brought back to life before your very eyes. The museum has taken the experience a step further and is also offering you "the city VR". Thanks to a virtual teaser, you can discover the Bruges of yesteryear using your smartphone. You set off to conquer 6 locations in the city centre to see what the buildings looked like in the 15th century and compare them with today's buildings.

One of the main attractions of this 'museum/attraction' is the panoramic terrace offering a splendid, unobstructed view of the Grand-Place, the heart of the city. And if you want to take the experience a step further, for an extra 8 euros you can climb the 145 steps to the top of the Historium Tower, which offers a 360° view of Bruges and its Belfry.