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Museum · Gante, East Flanders
Design Museum Gent
Design museum in central Gante, founded in 1903, with a collection that ranges from the 14th century to contemporary design, Belgian Art Nouveau by Victor Horta and Henry van de Velde, and a new wing with a terrace overlooking the Gravensteen.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Design Museum Gent
The Design Museum Gent was founded in 1903 as an association of wealthy city residents who lent drawings and furniture models to craftsmen and designers. In 1922 it moved into the De Coninck mansion, an 18th-century building on Jan Breydelstraat, near the Gravensteen castle, which remains part of the museum.
The collection holds about 24,000 items and covers more than seven centuries, with objects and archive drawings dating back to 1300. The focus is the home: furniture, tableware, glassware, lighting and everyday objects. Belgian Art Nouveau is a highlight, with pieces by Victor Horta and Henry van de Velde, alongside names such as Alvar Aalto, Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen and Maarten Van Severen.
The new wing connects the three parts of the museum, which previously operated separately. The entrance is on Drabstraat, with a 3D-printed gate, and the façade uses bricks made in Gante from pressed residues. The ground floor of the new wing functions as an open city room, with workshops and space for those who just want to sit and look.
The collection is organised by themes, such as copy, comfort, migration, folds and connections, rather than following chronological order. From the fourth floor you can see the Gravensteen, the Graslei and the Korenlei and the towers of the Rabot.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Between an hour and a half and two hours for the collection and the terrace.
Best time
It is closed on some weekdays; confirm the days before you go. Weekday mornings are quieter. Book online at weekends. In early November and December, Gante's museums often hold extended-opening nights.
How to get there
The entrance is on Drabstraat, a few steps from the Gravensteen and the Korenlei. From Gent-Sint-Pieters station the tram takes about 15 minutes to the centre; get off near the Korenmarkt and walk.
Tip
Go up to the fourth floor early, while there is still light, to see the city roofs. The family trail has interactive stations for children. The CityCard Gent gives access to the museum and others in the city.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Design Museum Gent
What is in the Design Museum Gent?
Furniture, tableware, glass and household objects from 1300 to the present, with emphasis on Belgian Art Nouveau by Victor Horta and Henry van de Velde and on 20th-century design.
Where is the entrance?
On Drabstraat, via the new wing, a few steps from the Gravensteen.
Is it suitable for travelers with children?
Yes. There is a family trail with interactive stations, and the ground-floor space in the new wing hosts workshops.