Autoworld car museum in Brussels

Autoworld is an automobile museum in Brussels, Belgium. The museum displays more than 300 vehicles, including cars and motorcycles from different eras. The collection traces the history of the automotive industry from its 19th-century origins to the present day. It features many early vehicles and Belgian-made models, including Minervas and several limousines from the Belgian royal family. Autoworld also regularly organises temporary exhibitions that explore different aspects of automotive history. Autoworld occupies the South Hall of the historic complex in Parc du Cinquantenaire, next to the Art & History Museum and the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History. Brussels-Schuman railway station serves the site, as do the Schuman and Merode metro stations on lines 1 and 5. History The museum was founded in 1986 through the initiative of the entrepreneur Charly De Pauw, with the support of the renowned car collector Ghislain Mahy. Mahy’s passion for vintage cars began in 1944 when he purchased his first classic car, a Ford T. This vehicle marked the beginning of an extensive collection that would later grow into the Mahymobiles collection, featuring over a thousand vehicles. The first vehicles displayed at Autoworld came directly from this collection. Among these early models were a Minerva Type A and a 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. Autoworld was opened on 29 September 1986 at its current location in Brussels, following development plans signed in 1985 by the architect V. Van Zaelen. The prominent figures behind the museum project were then-Prince Albert II, and Minister Louis Olivier. At its opening, the museum contained around 200 vehicles from the Mahy collection. Thanks to the efforts of De Pauw and Mahy, and in collaboration with various partners, Autoworld has evolved into one of Europe’s most prominent car museums. Between 2011 and 2021, Autoworld experienced significant growth, tripling both visitor numbers and revenue. Collection Autoworld showcases vehicles from different eras, ranging from early automobiles to modern sports cars. The collection traces the evolution of car design and technological innovation from the late 19th century to the present day. Curators arrange the vehicles along a thematic route based on the periods and events that shaped their development, using a variety of scenographic settings. Highlights include Minervas, a 1928 Bentley, a 1930 Bugatti, a 1930 Cord, and several limousines from the Belgian royal family. The museum also displays motorcycles, sports cars, fire engines, and 19th-century carriages. The museum has developed over the years and the exhibition space is now divided into several sections. These key thematic zones include: Sport & Competition, Salon 1910, Mahy zone, Belgian zone, Workshops, Thiry zone, Royal zone, Media Room, ’50s zone, Pierre D’Ieteren zone, Electric zone, Supercars zone, Belgian motorcycles, Auto Design Story, Comic book zone: Michel Vaillant, and Cars of Tintin. Opening hours Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Prices Adults: €17 Child (4-12), Students and Senior (65+): €13 How to get to? Lines 1 and 5 of the Brussels Metro and the Belliard Tunnel from the Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat pass underneath the park, the latter partly in an open section in front of the arch. The nearest metro stations are Schuman to the west of the park, and Merode immediately to the east. See also France travel guide Spain travel guide Catalonia travel guide Pyrenees travel guideThe post Autoworld car museum in Brussels first appeared on All PYRENEES.