Brussels, Buzzing Capital of Art Nouveau

Many claim Brussels to be the Capital of Art Nouveau. Wherever one strolls around the city, would be hard to miss some outstanding art nouveau facades. To mark the World Art Nouveau Day (10th June), the new ART NOUVEAU PASS is launched in order to turn the spotlight towards this outstanding architectural heritage. With BANAD Festival just behind us, what a great news for all art nouveau lovers!

Although there are other runner-up cities to claim the title of Capital of Art Nouveau, Brussels will always be referred to as the cradle of the European art nouveau movement thanks to the legacy of Victor Horta, Paul Hamesse or Henry van de Velde – just to name a few of the most famous artists of the time. Four houses by Victor Horta have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites to recognise the uniqueness of this movement and the ingenuity of the Master. While the amazing Art Nouveau facades have always enriched the appearance of the city, these last few years new opportunities have presented to emerge in the inner design and beauty of outstanding Art Nouveau buildings. The annual BANAD Festival by explore.brussels offers various interior visits and guided tours. Furthermore, at the end of 2013, a whole museum was dedicated to the masterpieces of the ‘Belle Époque’ with the name of “Fin-de-Siècle Museum”. 

It was also in 2013 that the first World Art Nouveau Day (WAND), an event dedicated to art nouveau, was organised on 10 June in various European capitals. The selected date is the anniversary of the death of two famous architects of the movement, Antoni Gaudí and Ödön Lechner. The WAND takes place annually ever since all over the world with various programs, conferences, dedicated visits etc. in order to create more awareness of the Art Nouveau heritage among the public. 

ART NOUVEAU PASS

This year the WAND is marked in Brussels by the official launch of the ART NOUVEAU PASS. This all-in-one pass by Brussels Museums and urban.brussels in collaboration with visit.brussels will allow visitors to discover 3 art nouveau places to choose from among 7 emblematic beauties of the movement in Brussels. The Pass brings together the Maison Autrique, the Maison Cauchie, the Horta Museum, the Hôtel Solvay, the MIM – Museum of Musical Instruments, the Belgian Comic Strip Centre and the Wolfers Frères jewellery store recreated in the Art & History Museum. The ART NOUVEAU PASS will offer two formulas and will be valid during a period of 6 months from the date of purchase. It will also offer several discounts for example on guided Art Nouveau tours.

“We want everyone to be able to discover and enjoy our Art Nouveau jewels in Brussels. They have to become real landmarks for our city worldwide. That is why I have supported the initiative for ART NOUVEAU PASS, which visitors can already use this summer. In addition, 2023 will be a year fully dedicated to Brussels Art Nouveau, with numerous activities. Also, new Art Nouveau locations will open their doors to the general public in the near future and numerous restorations and protections are in the pipeline. We have developed a complete strategy around Art Nouveau,” says Pascal Smet, Brussels state secretary for urbanism and heritage.

To give everyone the opportunity to discover the Art Nouveau masterpieces of Brussels, there is now an all-in-one pass. This ART NOUVEAU PASS lets you choose three options from seven iconic Art Nouveau pearls, namely the Autrique House, the Cauchie House, the Horta Museum, the Solvay House, the MIM – Musical Instrument Museum, the Belgian Comic Strip Center and the former shop of goldsmith Wolfers Frères , which was rebuilt at the Art & History Museum.

This museum pass bundles this unique heritage and at the same time promotes this too little-known offer to Brussels residents, Belgians and foreign tourists. New, fascinating locations will open in the near future. In the future, these will also have a place on the ART NOUVEAU PASS. This makes this affordable and handy discovery offer even wider and more attractive. Get more info on the dedicated website.

WeLoveBrussels team is of course very passionate about Art Nouveau and you can find many interesting articles about the local Art Nouveau heritage on our website. Visit Art Nouveau interiors virtually or in person during various events such as BANAD. You can also discover gems such as Maison Devalck, Hotel Frison or Maison Hap, to name only a few. Hotel Hannon will also soon become accessible to the public as a museum later this year. So, head out there to discover this amazing architectural heritage!

Photos and story by Dorka Demeter. Follow her on Instagram for more Art Nouveau adventures!