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© Frederik Beyens

Exhibition

Museum Vleeshuis displays musical instruments, craftsmanship and traditions from 800 years of musical life in Antwerp and Flanders. The museum collection comes to life in concerts, tours and workshops, in the monument and beyond. 

The Sound of the City

Our permanent exhibition “Sound of the City” takes you on a journey through the musical history of Antwerp. Listen to the sounds of churches, courts, concert halls and ballrooms, and admire musical instruments and treasures from 800 years of music in Antwerp. 

Living music

Museum Vleeshuis will tell you the stories of street singers, café pianists, collectors. Immerse yourself in the music of the street, listen to the sounds of the bell tower, the ballrooms, churches and concert halls. Discover the story of Wannes Van de Velde and dance to the music of mechanical organs.

The Antwerp Music Scene

Without instruments or music scores. Museum Vleeshuis also focuses the spotlight on new methods of printing music, instrument building workshops, and the first opera and concert halls. Antwerp played an increasingly important role in these musical developments – something we are obviously proud of.

Music for everyone

Music during Mass, or to dance to at a wedding. Marching music to keep the troops in line, or the carillon that divides the day into blocks of time as it chimes upon the hour. Music was – and still is – played by musicians for numerous reasons. It always played a crucial role in society and in the city. Museum Vleeshuis approaches music from a broad perspective. Not only is the music important, but above all, the story behind it.

Browse our collection online

Almost 4000 objects are preserved in the collection of Museum Vleeshuis. The entire collection is now accessible online.

Go to the online collection