Groeningemuseum
Groeningemuseum
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Groeninge Museum provides a varied overview of the history of Belgian visual art, with as highlight the world-renowned Flemish primitives. In this museum you can see, amongst other masterpieces, The Virgin and Child with Canon Van der Paele by Jan van Eyck and the Moreel Triptych by Hans Memling. You will also marvel at the top 18th and 19th-century neoclassical pieces, masterpieces of Flemish Expressionism and post-war modern art.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- JakeHavertown, Pennsylvania426 contributionsHighly recommendReally enjoyed the variety in this museum and it is VERY impressive for a smaller town. The collection offers a variety of works - all high quality. I can't remember what I paid - but it's a better value if you have the Museum card. In any case, this is a great small museum and I highly recommend.Visited December 2023Travelled soloWritten December 20, 2023
- Douglas CSan Francisco, California43 contributionsThe World’s Best Smallest MuseumGroeningemuseum is arguably the best smallest museum in the world. It features all Flemish painters. Everyone has his/her favorites. For me, there were several pieces that were particularly captivating, ‘Saint John preaching to the crowd’ by Pieter Brueghel, ‘The Final Judgement” by Pieter Pourbus that was reminiscent of the ‘Final Judgement’ in the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, Jan van Eyck’s realistic but somewhat unflattering portrait of his wife, the fatalistic “The Death of Belisarius’ Wife” by Franciscus Josephus Kinsoen (my personal favorite), the neo-classical “The Invention of the Art of Drawing” by Joseph Benoît Suvée, and the very formalistic family portraits by François-Joseph Navez. The best part of the museum is that there are two (only two) rocking chairs, where you can sit back, take a nap, and wait for your insatiable and devouring better half, stuck in front of every painting in every hall.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten January 26, 2024
- Kenneth L515 contributionsGreat selection of Flemish MastersThere are a lot of paintings to see in just 1 hour slot. The paintings by Van Eyck Margaret Van Eyck and Madonna with George van der Paele should not be missed. I do like the various versions of the Last Judgement but the one by Hieronymous Bosch is definitely the highlight for me.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten April 18, 2024
- operalover939Toronto, Canada2,933 contributionsExcellent collectionThis is a gallery that houses some priceless treasures of the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, including paintings by Van Eyck, Van der Goes, and Gerard David. They gave evidence of the wealth and importance of Bruges in the 19th century. It also houses some interesting modern art. Highly recommended.Visited May 2024Travelled soloWritten May 3, 2024
- Peter BCincinnati, Ohio432 contributionsSmall, but with important worksThe museum is small, just 7 rooms, but the quality is very high. It is a nice complement to the Rijksmuseum. For me the highlight is The Last Judgment by Hieronymus Bosch. You can stare at it for an hour and still discover interesting scenes. The two Jan van Eyck paintings are worth appreciating as well. 30 minutes to an hour are all that’s needed.Visited April 2024Travelled soloWritten May 24, 2024
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ElaineAndGreg
Chesterland, OH3,092 contributions
Jul 2021
The Groeninge Museum houses a small but outstanding collection of artwork. If you are visiting Bruges, you will definitely want to visit it.
The museum itself is in a cool set of buildings more or less in the center of Bruges. You’ll also want to look at the surrounding buildings and canals, many of which are highly photogenic. It's also a 5-minute walk to the Church of Our Lady (which houses an exquisite statue by Michelangelo).
Keep in mind that at one time Bruges was arguably the wealthiest city in Europe and the home of some of the greatest artists of the age. The museum focuses mostly, but not entirely, on works from this period. Perhaps most notably, the museum houses works by Jan van Eyck and Hieronymus Bosch. The best of the van Eyck paintings is one of his wife, reproductions of which you will see all over town and on travel literature. It is a very striking painting in real life. The Bosch piece, as you might expect, contains all of the surreal/judgment day kind of imagery for which he is known.
One phenomenon we have seen elsewhere is the ability to enjoy great art much more in smaller, lesser-known museums. You can get closer to the works, spend more time with them, and generally avoid the crowds you will see, say, around the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. That was certainly true here. We were able to walk around and spend as much time as we wanted with the museum's best works. We particularly appreciated that with the Bosch triptych, which has hundreds of fascinating smaller images. By the way, another museum like this (although larger) is the National Gallery in Scotland, which has many great works curiously overlooked by tourists.
The museum has an excellent audio tour in English as well as some descriptive material on the paintings themselves. The audio is pretty straightforward and instructive without using jargon. I learned a lot from it.
There is also some later work more or less up to the present day. How you feel about that is pretty much dependent on how you view works after 1900 generally.
There is a pretty good museum shop in the museum, and a larger one towards the Church of Our Lady. Along the way you may come across some modern sculpture representing the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
The museum itself is in a cool set of buildings more or less in the center of Bruges. You’ll also want to look at the surrounding buildings and canals, many of which are highly photogenic. It's also a 5-minute walk to the Church of Our Lady (which houses an exquisite statue by Michelangelo).
Keep in mind that at one time Bruges was arguably the wealthiest city in Europe and the home of some of the greatest artists of the age. The museum focuses mostly, but not entirely, on works from this period. Perhaps most notably, the museum houses works by Jan van Eyck and Hieronymus Bosch. The best of the van Eyck paintings is one of his wife, reproductions of which you will see all over town and on travel literature. It is a very striking painting in real life. The Bosch piece, as you might expect, contains all of the surreal/judgment day kind of imagery for which he is known.
One phenomenon we have seen elsewhere is the ability to enjoy great art much more in smaller, lesser-known museums. You can get closer to the works, spend more time with them, and generally avoid the crowds you will see, say, around the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. That was certainly true here. We were able to walk around and spend as much time as we wanted with the museum's best works. We particularly appreciated that with the Bosch triptych, which has hundreds of fascinating smaller images. By the way, another museum like this (although larger) is the National Gallery in Scotland, which has many great works curiously overlooked by tourists.
The museum has an excellent audio tour in English as well as some descriptive material on the paintings themselves. The audio is pretty straightforward and instructive without using jargon. I learned a lot from it.
There is also some later work more or less up to the present day. How you feel about that is pretty much dependent on how you view works after 1900 generally.
There is a pretty good museum shop in the museum, and a larger one towards the Church of Our Lady. Along the way you may come across some modern sculpture representing the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Written August 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_Coach55
Ruislip, UK1,211 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
Groenigemuseum is located quite centrally in Bruges and is around three quarters of a mile from the railway station on foot.
There is a large collection of superb Flemish art on show from the 14th century onwards.
On display were great paintings by Hans Memling, Jan van Eyck and Gerard David well as the Last Judgement from Hieronymus Bosch amongst others.
I liked the 19th work by Francois-Joseph Kinson as well as the later paintings from the Belgian Expressionists such as James Ensor, Rik Wouters and Frits van den Berghe.
I spent a couple of hours browsing the fine art here.
Admission fee was €14. The only downside was that the Arentshuis (included in the price) was temporarily shut for refurbishment.
There is a large collection of superb Flemish art on show from the 14th century onwards.
On display were great paintings by Hans Memling, Jan van Eyck and Gerard David well as the Last Judgement from Hieronymus Bosch amongst others.
I liked the 19th work by Francois-Joseph Kinson as well as the later paintings from the Belgian Expressionists such as James Ensor, Rik Wouters and Frits van den Berghe.
I spent a couple of hours browsing the fine art here.
Admission fee was €14. The only downside was that the Arentshuis (included in the price) was temporarily shut for refurbishment.
Written March 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
simon e
Birmingham, UK42 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Its a €15 admission to a small museum that 80% comprises diptych's and oil paintings of Jesus, in all the usual scenarios, with John the Baptist and Mary, etc, etc. You've seen them all before, countless times in other museums, and these are no more impressive.
There are 10 galleries, and there was a tour stood in front of the individual gallery highlight in most of them, so some you don't really get a good look at.
There's a couple of gallery's at the end that aren't about Jesus
The approach to the gallery outside is rather lovely, it just goes downhill from there for me. However, if you like endless identical Jesus art, you'll love this place.
There are 10 galleries, and there was a tour stood in front of the individual gallery highlight in most of them, so some you don't really get a good look at.
There's a couple of gallery's at the end that aren't about Jesus
The approach to the gallery outside is rather lovely, it just goes downhill from there for me. However, if you like endless identical Jesus art, you'll love this place.
Written May 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim and Al
24 contributions
Mar 2020
We wanted to see the Final judgement tripthych by Hieronimus Bosch. Great painting - not many visitors, and you can approach the painting to about 30 cm to see the tiny details Bosch is famous for.
Also Bosch's Hiob tripthych is there, as is Jan van Eyck's famous (and 2nd largest to The Ghent Lamb of God) Madonna of Canonicus Joris van der Paele - despite of the big van Eyck exhibition currently in Ghent.
The department of the more recent paintings was closed for refurbishing, about to re-open during March 2020. But since our focus was the old paintings, no problem for us.
Also Bosch's Hiob tripthych is there, as is Jan van Eyck's famous (and 2nd largest to The Ghent Lamb of God) Madonna of Canonicus Joris van der Paele - despite of the big van Eyck exhibition currently in Ghent.
The department of the more recent paintings was closed for refurbishing, about to re-open during March 2020. But since our focus was the old paintings, no problem for us.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
05095coc
5 contributions
Mar 2020
A fine little collection of fine art in the heart of Bruges. The museum was undergoing some work when I went, but it hardly affected the experience for me beyond a few closed rooms. The gallery starts strong with Van Eyck and the masters of the Northern Renaissance, with outstanding contributions by Hans Memling and Jan Provoost. The "Judgement of Cambyses" by Gerard David is a real eye-catcher, as is Bosch's characteristically chaotic "Last Judgement". After some marvelous portraits by Pieter Pourbus, the paintings pick up again around the 19th Century with Suvee and Edmond van Hove, as well as a fine coterie of landscapes. The free audioguide is highly recommended. Friendly staff.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bubbles73uk
Weedon Bec, UK844 contributions
Mar 2020
This art museum is located in what was once Eekhout Abbey.
It's known for being a great place to view Belgian plastic arts as well as 18th & 19th neoclassical paintings by Jan van Eyck & Hugo van der Goes.
It is very enjoyable for anyone with an interest in art & is a jewel in the wonderful crown that is Bruges.
It's known for being a great place to view Belgian plastic arts as well as 18th & 19th neoclassical paintings by Jan van Eyck & Hugo van der Goes.
It is very enjoyable for anyone with an interest in art & is a jewel in the wonderful crown that is Bruges.
Written March 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurent
4 contributions
Jul 2021
We chose for a tour, this was on a sunday early July. Our guide, Frank (with a long name, sorry forgot the name), was excellent. Really recommend it. Frank was very knowledgeable not only in the Flemish primitives but also in art from the later centuries, and could really give us a good sense for the evolution of painting, at least in Flanders, over the centuries. He could also answer all our questions, and this was a very informative tour.
Written July 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jozef O
Brussels, Belgium191 contributions
Aug 2021
Not my first visit to this museum, but it had been quite a while. There is a very impressive collection of Flemish old Masters (primarily from the high Middle Ages). All very well presented both visually and via the audioguide. This sort of timeless art never ceases to be new and interesting and revealing of new things.
Bruges has a lot to offer and choose from, but this museum is certainly one of the must-see sights.
Bruges has a lot to offer and choose from, but this museum is certainly one of the must-see sights.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TacomaDawn
Tacoma, WA170 contributions
Nov 2022
I have visited lots of art museums in my 40 years of travel and I really enjoyed the Groeninge Museum. The collection is well organized with just enough pieces to enjoy without leaving you feeling too rushed. My husband and I used the audio tour to listen to the stories behind 2-3 pieces in each of the rooms they had (until the modern art, which we just don't enjoy as much anywhere). Fascinating history and excellent examples of leading Flemish painters' works. If you like art, or have studied Art History, you will enjoy a 1-2 hour visit to this museum.
Written November 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bianca W
London, UK1,553 contributions
Apr 2022 • Solo
This museum has a great digital tour, that provides you with plenty of information as well as some audio snippets detailing the artworks.
Unfortunately the Hieronymus Bosch panels are currently loaned to another museum, but there's still so much stunning work to see.
Don't skip this one, it's very much worth your time.
Written April 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to take pictures? Thanks.
Written December 10, 2020
How long does it take to see this museum? And does the ticket allow re-entry the same day?
Written October 23, 2019
Hi, Normally they do not allow re-entry. I would say it takes about 2 hours to see the museum; Although some people may take longer if they stop to admire the artwork.
Written January 15, 2020
Sono disponibili audioguide in italiano o guide con le riproduzioni a colori delle principali opere?
Written June 6, 2019
What are your five favorite Flemish Primitive paintings in the Groeningemuseum?
Written April 23, 2019
My favourite in the Groeningemuseum is Jan Provost ‘Last Judgement’ and Memling’s St John Altarpiece in St. John’s Hospital Museum.
Written July 1, 2019
Evidemment "de le Pasture", et pas le "paturage"!!!! Traduction automatique, déplorable!!!!
Written December 3, 2018
È possibile comprare il biglietto online?
Written July 29, 2018
Qual è il prezzo del biglietto d'ingresso?
Written June 27, 2018
Hi, Dina. What would you like to know about this attraction?
Thank you for your help - we are coming to Bruges in April and I understand a major book exhibition will be on at the museum - do you know how much of the permanent collection is off view at this time? Thank you.
Written March 1, 2018
hallo! i am sorry i can not answer about book exhibition if there will be.
what we saw in that museum when we were there was all about art-pieces from famous Flemish painters. from primitive to masterpieces of Flemish expressionism to the post-war modern art. If there could be another activity at present in that place... then the best person to be ask will be from the museum management.
Written March 2, 2018
I'm trying to find a painting which I think is housed in this museum. It depicts a man sat on a chair or throne on a dais covered with an oriental carpet. It is richly detailed and the carpet is slightly threadbare. If anyone has any idea of the name of the painting and artist I'd be very grateful!
Written September 9, 2017
I believe you are referring to The Madonna with Canon van der Paele by Jan Van Eyck. Although it's the madonna seated on the throne, not a man.
Written September 10, 2017
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