Bruxella 1238, the archaeological museum in Brussels, located at the old Brussels Stock Exchange building has reopened following renovations. The museum is situated on a very historic spot. Duke John I of Brabant and Princess Margaretha von Waldeck are both buried here. The latter is said to be the source of fairy tale hero Snow White.
A renovated Bruxella 1238 was officially inaugurated on Wednesday. The museum opened to the public on Thursday. Bruxella 1238 contains the ruins of a former Franciscan monastery located in the centre of Brussels and dating from the 13th century. The tomb of Duke John I of Brabant is also located here.
For years, the archaeological site was recognisable in the streetscape thanks to the glass structure next to the Bourse building. The glass structures is now gone and the site's ceiling has been made flush with street level. Several peepholes will still arouse the curiosity of passersby.
The renovation work has also improved access to the museum. A new entrance through the old stock exchange has now been created. The reopening of the museum is part of the thorough transformation of that building. Last September Belgian Beer World opened here.
Last resting place of Duke John I and Princess Margaretha von Waldeck
"In the museum you will find the graves of several historical figures," historian Roel Jacobs explains. "On the one hand, there are the finds and debris that have been discovered in the underground. That's the archaeological dimension. But this archaeology also supports a historical narrative. In the middle of the site you find the burial vault of Duke John I of Brabant. He is the most important duke of the House of Leuven and he is also the first duke, who came to live in Brussels. This is important because Brussels could then portray itself more as a political centre than a trading post," Roel Jacobs clarifies.
In addition to Duke John I, the German countess Margaretha von Waldeck is also said to be buried here. "I happened to stumble upon the story of this historical Snow White a few months ago," says author Kurt Deswert. "The fairy tale is said to be based on her life. To my surprise, it’s claimed she lived in Brussels for quite a while and also died and was buried here. How best to familiarise the public at large with this story is currently the subject of consideration," Kurt Deswert adds.
Bruxella 1238 is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. The entrance fee is 5 euros.