Good news for all Mechelen lovers and green thumbs! Museum Hof van Busleyden, which was given a new lease of life last year, is now coming up with something new and bright: guided tours through their beautiful museum gardens!
@Verschueren Eddy
On Feb. 24, 2024, Museum Hof van Busleyden reopened after a thorough restoration. In the process, the three enclosed museum gardens of the city palace also underwent a transformation. Inspired by the lush Renaissance gardens that Hieronymus van Busleyden had laid out five hundred years ago, landscape architect Ronald Van der Hilst created a green oasis that is definitely worth a visit. During a fascinating 60-minute tour, you will discover this unique place in the heart of Mechelen together with a guide.
From April 1 through October 31, you can join us on a fascinating exploration of the renovated gardens of this historic city palace. And believe us, you don’t want to miss it! The gardens are inspired by the 16th-century natural Renaissance gardens of Hieronymus van Busleyden himself, and landscape architect Ronald Van der Hilst has truly turned them into a green gem.
@Verschueren Eddy
Why you should book this tour?
- Always something new to see: Because there is something different in bloom almost every day, every tour is unique!
- A journey through time: you imagine yourself back in the time of the humanists, with a nod to the botanical knowledge of the famous Mechelen botanist Rembert Dodoens. His bust stands there for a reason!
- For plant connoisseurs and enjoyers: Whether you know all about flowers and plants or just like to spend time in a beautiful environment, these gardens will surprise you. In spring it is already a feast with all the colorful tulips!
- A unique place in the heart of Mechelen: Discover a hidden green oasis in the middle of the city.
Three gardens, three atmospheres:
During the approximately one-hour tour, you will pass by the three different courtyard gardens, each with its own character:
- The Science Garden (along rue Saint John): An ode to Dodoens, with many plants he described in his famous Book of Herbs. Perfect for picking something up while walking (without getting school-like, promise!). And psst… the terrace of the coffee shop overlooks this, perfect for a break with great views!
- The Garden of Delights (along Frederik de Merode Street): Here it’s all about fun and unusual plant species, inspired by the collections of humanists from centuries ago. Expect surprising discoveries!
- The Meditation Garden: Expanded in the fall into a contemporary place for rest and reflection. Escape from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the silence – perfect during your museum visit.
@Verschueren Eddy
As in the sixteenth century, the museum’s three gardens were each given their own interpretation, The large courtyard garden you enter along the Sint-Janstraat is set up as a hortus catalog or science garden and is a tribute to Mechelen botanist Rembert Dodoens. His bust overlooks the garden and many of the plants he described in his 1554 Book of Herbs can be found here. But you don’t have to be a plant connoisseur to enjoy this tour. In spring, the thousands of tulip bulbs that were put in the ground last year are guaranteed to create a motley spectacle of color. Those who take a seat on the terrace of the museum’s coffee bar can watch the floral splendor from the front row.
More than just tours!
In addition to the new garden tours, Museum Hof van Busleyden is also hosting other fun activities in the gardens during the spring and summer, such as a botanical drawing workshop in June. Keep an eye on their website for more info!
“The smaller courtyard garden that opens onto Frederik de Merodestraat and is conceived as hortus ludi or garden of pleasure is a place of pleasure. The unusual plant species you spot here refer to the precious collections of plants, corals and animals that humanists collected centuries ago“, explains director of Museum Hof van Busleyden Kristl Strubbe. “And then there is the third garden that we created in the fall as a contemporary meditation garden. It’s an intimate place for reflection and silence and perfect for taking a break during your museum visit.”
Good to know: The large and small courtyard gardens are open every day for free! So you can pop in to taste the atmosphere even without a guided tour.
@Verschueren Eddy
@Verschueren Eddy
Practical:
- What to do: Guided tours of the liquid museum gardens at Museum Hof van Busleyden.
- When: From April 1 to October 31.
- Reservations: Find more info and bookings on the website: https://www.hofvanbusleyden.be/nu-te-zien/museumtuinen-en-beiaard
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discover a green and historical gem in Mechelen! We are already curious about your experiences in the liquid museum gardens. Let us know in the comments!👇