Museum Gardens and Carillon

Museum Gardens at Hof van Busleyden

Around Museum Hof van Busleyden there are three gardens: the large inner courtyard on Sint-Janstraat, the smaller honour courtyard on Frederik de Merodestraat and the third walled garden behind the city palace. Two of the gardens, the inner courtyard and the honour courtyard, are freely accessible all year round from 10 am to 5 pm. Relax in the gardens or on the coffee-bar terrace and enjoy your time here after your museum visit.

New Garden Design

The gardens around Museum Hof van Busleyden are being remodelled at present to a design inspired by the lush gardens of the Renaissance. A natural scheme featuring grape vines, olive trees, cypresses and roses will turn the place into a genuine green oasis. The design is by landscape architect Ronald van der Hilst and his team. The artistic interpretation of the garden is by contemporary artist, Berlinde De Bruyckere. Together, the three gardens connect the museum to the city's other Burgundian treasures.

Carillon at Hof van Busleyden

The city palace has a carillon, which is well hidden in the tower. The carillon player reaches the instrument through a narrow staircase. For a long time, the carillon was part of the carillon school in the ‘Het Schipke’ corner building, which now houses the museum coffee bar. Today, it serves as a practice instrument for the students of the Mechelen Carillon School.

In 2022, the tower and carillon were fully restored, meaning that the beautiful sounds of the instrument can be heard here once again. The best place to listen to the carillon is in the large inner courtyard, where the sounds echo as far as Sint-Janstraat.