A new museography, redesigned spaces, one of the most interesting museums devoted to Central Africa. Without complex.
This museum is closely linked to the history of Belgium's colonization of the Congo. Created in 1897 at the instigation of King Leopold II, its aim was to arouse Belgian curiosity about the "Independent State of the Congo", the sovereign's personal property, now the subject of contemporary controversy due to the atrocious tortures perpetrated by the colonists. To coincide with the 1897 Universal Exhibition, he had the "Palais des colonies" built on the royal estate of Tervuren. The temporary exhibition featured "curiosities" from the Congo: stuffed animals, objects of ethnographic interest, export products (coffee, cocoa, tobacco, etc.). The construction of the current neoclassical building was entrusted to the Frenchman Charles Giraut, architect of the Petit Palais. It was inaugurated in 1910 for the second Universal Exhibition. But Leopold II died in 1909. Before his death, he bequeathed the Congo to Belgium.
126 years after its creation, the museum boasts a rich collection of several thousand objects (around 800 on display), which fueled the fantasies of several generations and the script for Tintin in the Congo: the leopard man, the stuffed gazelles... The approach is anthropological, ethnological, botanical, zoological, entomological, geological and mineralogical. The museum, which is also a research center, underwent renovation work from 2013 to 2018, and now exhibits a more contemporary, less colonial vision of Africa, with an original scenography in its new buildings.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
The strengths of this establishment:
Further information
Opening time and information on AFRICAMUSEUM
Tuesday to Friday 10am-5pm. Weekends: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Vacations: 10am-5pm. Over 18s €13, seniors €10, students €5.Wheelchair accessible, Accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Owner's Message
The Royal Museum for Central Africa, also called AfricaMuseum, is not only a reference institution for scientific research, but also one of the most visited museums in Belgium. Visitors discover the cultural and natural diversity of Central Africa through its mostly historical collections. Universal themes such as language, music, biodiversity, education, leadership and ceremonies are explored in detail. Contemporary Congolese artists also offer their perspective on the collections by presenting their own installations and artworks in various locations in and around the museum. Finally, the AfricaMuseum also addresses Belgium's colonial history and does not shy away from its own genesis.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on AFRICAMUSEUM
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners
What's missing is a serious look at the millions of people who died in under the Congo Free State and the huge population decline that followed it. That is worthy of a museum itself and you won't get sufficient detail here.
There's also no monument on the grounds or on site to the millions who died, were enslaved or the many who were mutilated. What you will find are a few colonial propaganda pieces or statues of Léopold (the man primarily responsible for their suffering).
Go to this museum only if you are interested in the Congo, its culture today or how old propaganda for colonisation operated.