Middelheim Museum — Attraction in Antwerp

History of sculpture, starting with Rodin up to the present. In 1950, the city of Antwerp organized a successful international open-air sculpture exhibition in Middelheim Park. As a result, the expansive park became a permanent venue for creative beauty in the form of sculptures. After 50 years of collecting, the park now prides itself with an impressive collection of modern sculptures.

The Middelheim Museum collection includes approximately 400 works of art. Every year sees new works added to the collection. Around 215 sculptures have been placed in the park, including works by major artists such as Auguste Rodin, Rik Wouters, Henry Moore, Juan Muñoz, Carl Andre, Panamarenko, Franz West, Erwin Wurm and many others.

Each year, the museum invites contemporary artists to engage in an artistic dialogue with the permanent collection and the park environment, resulting in high-profile performances and impressive exhibitions by well-known artists as well as promising younger ones. These new works are frequently included in the permanent collection. Roman Signer and Ai Weiwei have also recently created new works specifically for the museum.

Renaat Braem, one of Belgian’s best-known 20th century architects, designed the beautiful pavilion in 1971. It has recently been refurbished and forms a pleasing synergy with the park. The Belgian artist Philippe Van Snick created the extraordinary fountain in front of the pavilion. The Braem Pavilion is reserved for the fragile showpieces of the permanent collection, and works by well-known artists such as Alberto Giacometti, Jean Arp, Wim Delvoye and many others receive the attention and care they deserve. The Braem Pavilion exhibition changes twice each year.

Starting at the Braem Pavilion, a 750 metre corridor runs through the park, past the Middelheim Castle and over the Middelheimlaan to Hortiflora, a flower garden that was formerly part of the Nachtegalen Park until its inclusion in the Middelheim Museum in 2012. The open-air museum now covers no fewer than 30 hectares of park and exhibition space. Three exhibitions are hosted annually in and around the exhibition pavilion ‘Het Huis’, which was designed by...

I had the pleasure of visiting the open-air museum in Antwerp, and it left me truly enchanted. Nestled in the embrace of nature, this museum is a hidden gem that offers an extraordinary experience, and the best part? It's completely free.

The museum's setting is a work of art in itself, with lush greenery and scenic trails that lead you to an array of stunning statues. The statues, thoughtfully placed amidst the natural surroundings, create a harmonious blend of art and nature. Each sculpture seems to tell a unique story, and I found myself captivated by their beauty and craftsmanship.

What sets this museum apart is its accessibility and the sense of tranquility it offers. The fact that it's open to all, without an admission fee, makes it a welcoming destination for both locals and tourists. It's the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll, enjoy a picnic, or simply soak in the serenity of the outdoors.

One can't help but feel a sense of connection with both art and the environment in this open-air museum. It's a testament to the power of art to enhance our appreciation of the natural world.

In conclusion, the open-air museum in Antwerp is a hidden treasure that combines the beauty of art with the splendor of nature. It's an experience that's not to be missed, and the fact that it's free makes it all the more wonderful."

I hope this review accurately conveys the beauty and uniqueness of the open-air...

When you want to go to middelheim, you take a public ride and walk your way in from a distance. Slowly the park becomes you. The trees, the plants and then the sculptures slowly peeking through the trees. There is magic here...; a sharp slide giving you goosebumps, weeping, waving tree tops, reflections of green and a boat that simply tells us to f..k off. It is a gentle and pleasantly unfoldung experience, one of the greatest strolls in the park that is. Middelheim is a must see, so close, yet so far from the hussle and buzzle. The best of all, it is free. We could all comment the governments of city, province and region to thank for such spending and effort to add this park and its surroundings to " the best things in...