Tervuren, hunting grounds of the Dukes of Brabant

Lander Loeckx

The AfricaMuseum and the Africa Palace in Tervuren take us back to Belgium’s colonial past. These neoclassical monuments shine in the vast Tervuren Park, once the hunting grounds of the Dukes of Brabant.

The colonial past

In Tervuren, a town enveloped in greenery on the outskirts of Brussels, you’ll find the expansive Tervuren Park, Two striking neoclassical buildings stand proudly in the park; The AfricaMuseum and Africa Palace.

At the AfricaMuseum, you can learn more about the rich history of decolonised Central Africa and be invited to reflect critically on Belgium’s colonial past. The museum shares these stories through an extensive collection of ethnographic objects, natural history items, and artworks. These are complemented by a range of temporary exhibitions, virtual expos, and educational workshops for young and old alike.

The Africa Palace is located a stone’s throw from the recently renovated museum. This eclectic-style building once served as a royal retreat, but these days it is used as an event venue. Both the museum and the palace sparkle in the lush greenery of Tervuren Park A walk among the French gardens, ponds, and historic buildings offers a moment of peace.

Erard Swannet

PHOTO © Christophe Vander Eecken / LAIF

Centuries of power and influence

Rural Tervuren has been associated with power for centuries. It began in the early 13th century, when Henry I, Duke of Brabant, took up residence there and Tervuren Castle became his regular hunting base. Over the centuries, various rulers and dignitaries used this magnificent estate as a country retreat.

That history took a significant turn in 1830, when Belgium gained independence and the entire estate became property of the Belgian state. Twenty-five years later, it came under the supervision of the future King Leopold II, the controversial architect of Belgian colonialism.

In Tervuren Park, he commissioned the construction of the Colonial Palace for the Congo Exhibition, the colonial segment of the 1897 World’s Fair. This would later evolve into a museum and an institution for spreading colonial propaganda. The Tervuren Colonial Museum eventually moved to a new building nearby, which today remains the home of the AfricaMuseum.

The Africa Palace of the Royal Museum for Central Africa is a unique historical location in the peaceful, green surroundings of Tervuren.

Toerisme Vlaams-Brabant

Plan your visit

The AfricaMuseum
Leuvensesteenweg 13
3080 Tervuren
Vrij of met gids te bezoeken.
Visit the AfricaMuseum

Tervuren Park
Keizerinnedreef
3080 Tervuren
Vrij te bezoeken.
Visit Tervuren Park