The Gruuthuse Museum is housed inside the stately home of one of the richest families in old Bruges. The various rooms are used to display museum exhibits charting the history of Bruges. We think they’ve missed a trick though, because the building itself and the family who once owned it are far more interesting than the museum pieces. The house layout remains roughly as it was when the Gruuthuse family lived here. They made their money from ingredients for beer and they clearly did very well out of it.
Their home is palatial and it’s a real insight into how the rich lived. One highlight not to miss here is the private chapel which has a window into the Church Of Our Lady next door. This allowed the family to attend services without leaving home and without mingling with the poorer people! We absolutely loved the exterior balcony which offers nice views of the garden, canals and the church.
The museum holds all kinds of objects that refer to life in Bruges between the 15th and the 19th centuries. The operators of the museum are particularly proud of the “Room of honour” and describe it as the museum’s main asset. It has tapestries, an impressive fire-place and richly decorated timber: they all remind of the luxury and wealth of the Lords of Gruuthuse after whom the palace and museum are named. Outside the museum there are beautiful walkways at the rear and an attractive courtyard at the front. These areas were used in the black comedy movie “In Bruges”.
The Gruuthuse Museum in Bruges is open every day except Monday from 9.30am to 5pm. Adult admission is 15 Euros (2026 prices).
MORE THINGS TO DO IN BRUGES
LOCATION & CONTACT
Address: The Gruuthuse Museum, Dijver 17 (Gruuthusestraat), D-8000 Bruges
Tel: +32 (0) 50 44 87 62
The museum is located right next to the beautiful Church of Our Lady.
MORE ON BRUGES GRUUTHUSE MUSEUM
Gruuthuse Museum – Visit Bruges
Hotels near the Gruuthuse/Church of Our Lady in Bruges – Hotels.com
Bruges Guide Books – Best prices from Amazon.co.uk