A musical journey

At the heart of the Royal Library lies the KBR museum. Dive into the enchanting world of manuscripts, polyphonic music, and illuminated miniatures from the 15th and 16th centuries. Discover the magnificent Library of the Dukes of Burgundy and enjoy a unique musical experience.

Belgium has been hiding a treasure for 600 years

Six centuries ago, Brussels belonged to the rich and powerful Dukes of Burgundy. Skilled politicians and cultured patrons, they established a stirring treasure, a unique and fascinating collection of manuscripts: the Library of the Dukes of Burgundy.

These masterpieces, which have survived the ravages of time and history, have been looked after by KBR and can now be admired at the KBR museum. Explore Europe’s medieval cultural past and then admire the magnificent illuminated manuscripts from the ducal library.

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A musical experience

In addition to the tale of the Medieval miniaturists, the KBR museum also tells the story of the Franco-Flemish polyphonic singers. Just like the Flemish primitives in art and the miniaturists in the manuscripts, composers, singers and musicians from the Low Countries set the tone on the musical stage from the 15th and 16th century. You now have the chance to discover these precious words, pictures and sounds … Visit the KBR museum and immerse yourself in the music from the days of the Dukes of Burgundy. 

Dive in deeper with lectures, concerts and workshops which bring the Burgundy era and the polyphonic world to life.

A museum for everyone

Everybody is different, and so is every museum visit. Choose which course you want to follow in the museum:

• Connoisseur: An exploratory tour for those who wish to take their time to fully immerse themselves in the
• rich cultural and intellectual life of the 14th to the 16th century.
• Bird’s Eye view: A fast, but surprising discovery tour featuring the highlights of the KBR museum.
• Child’s play: A tour for those who are young (at heart) and would like to discover the museum in an amusing way.

Are you visiting the museum with children? Be sure to read the page about the children’s tour and discover how there is something for every age.

A page is turned every 6 months

Did you know that a manuscript is too fragile to be on display all the time? In order to protect them, we change the exhibits 2 times a year.

Museum experience

There is a lot to experience at the KBR museum. Characters from the manuscripts dance on the ceiling and whisper in your ear. You can also touch: feel the materials from which a manuscript is made.

Want to get hands-on? Design your own miniature, test your skills as a copyist, or experiment with polyphony yourself. Two or four voices, just the tenor or the bassus? The result is in your hands.

Become a Friend of the KBR museum 

Joining the Friends of the KBR museum means enjoying free and unlimited access to the museum for one year, receiving invitations to exclusive events, and supporting the museum’s efforts to share our heritage with as many people as possible. 

Practical information

Dive deeper into the Middle Ages