MIM!

Along the Rue Montagne de la Cour stands a building that once housed a department store. The building is known as "Old England" and is a real show piece of the Art Nouveau architecture style for which Belgium is famous. Designed in 1899, the building fell into disrepair and neglect, until it was rehbed in 2000 to house MY museum. Not because of the objects inside: musical instruments from around the world; but because of the initials of its name. In Flemish, it is Musee des Instruments de Musique, or MIM!

The collection itself is amazing.  Beginning in the 19th century as a private collection of King Leopold II, who donated a huge number of Indian (subcontinent India) instruments, it is now one of the largest museums dedicated to musical instruments in the world--with more than 6,000 items.  Ranging from wood instruments, to Tibetan horns, pianos/harpsichords/cabinet organs, drums, accordions, and guitars, it also has the signature piece of Adolphe Sax.  I wonder just what that was...  

The building itself is entirely made out of glass and elaborate wrought iron, and has a turret on one side.  (Not to mention amazing views of the city).  On one of the floors, there are photos and drawings of how the rehabilitation of the building, both inside and out, were done--including fabricating new ironworks. 

 

Course, the best of the museum, the name.... :)