Plantin-Moretus Museum
The Plantin-Moretus Museum is linked with the spreading of ideas of European humanism via its printing business Officina Plantiniana.
The museum is housed in the former residence and printing business of famous printers Christoffel Plantijn and Jan Moretus. They had a successful printing workshop and publishing house in the late 16th century, printing humanist and scientific publications. The workshop, its furnishings and the immaterial heritage associated with the business have been preserved in the original location.
Community Perspective: Everyone seems to like this one, and you can easily spend two hours inside drooling over the typographical matrices, the globes, the Gutenberg Bible and the Rubens paintings.
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James Bowyer
I arrived into Antwerp from Brussels on the train and was immediately in love with the station. Ascending from the underground through platforms on enormous escalators into the cavernous space above was like entering a cathedral devoted to the railways. I was able to stash my larger bags into the automated lockers, although most of these were already full by the time I got there at about 9:30 am so being early is probably required to guarantee one, before setting out to explore the city. Antwerp is full of grand buildings dating back to its golden age in the 16th Century as one of the premier ports of Europe in the early days of colonialism. I particularly like the Grote Markt square, which is not too far behind Brussel’s Grand Place in my estimation. Indeed, it seems to me the ‘Historic Centre of Antwerp’ would have easily been a World Heritage Site in its own right if nominated early on. However, the Belgians may well have left it too late as there are now so many (arguably too many) sites of that type in Europe that something spectacular would be needed to squeeze in and Antwerp, as marvellous as it is, might just fall short.
In any case, Antwerp already has a WHS in the form of the Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex. This is a disproportionately long name for what must be one of the smallest WHS, comprising just a single 16th Century building. Having walked around Antwerp all morning, I visited the museum after lunch with unfortunate timing as I happened to enter just behind a large tour group who struggled to buy tickets. I had no such issues and bought a ticket easily for a reasonable price – this was pre-pandemic so I paid in cash and have no record of what it cost but their website says they no longer take cash and entrance is €12 as of October 2021. I didn’t know this at the time but they are closed on Mondays so I was lucky to have chosen a random Thursday. Despite appearing a relatively small building, there is plenty of space inside and so I soon lost the tour group. Initially, I was not impressed with the museum as the first few rooms were simply recreations of the interiors, which featured some fine furniture and paintings but were no different to the kind of thing that can be seen in old houses turned into museums anywhere else. I was then very disappointed as there was seemingly no more to see before I consulted the map in the leaflet I was given, which revealed there was far more to be seen. I just had to open a door that I had naively walked past earlier assuming it would be locked.
This brief embarrassment passed, the door led me out into a courtyard lined with fine brick walls and pleasant small gardens (picture attached). On the walls were busts of busts of, among others, Christophe Plantin and his son-in-law Jan Moretus, the pioneering printers whose house and workshop this was in the 16th Century. The rooms off from this courtyard contain a seemingly endless library of books, many dating back to the very earliest days of this workshop. These include an early 36-line Bible, an anatomy book by the Andreas Vesalius (whose work transformed the medical profession, which had advanced little before him since the work of the Roman physician Galen), and a collection of proverbs from the great Erasmus. There were no doubt more books of equal note but these were the three that stood out to me and one could spend all day perusing the bookcases and picking out the works of famous Renaissance thinkers. There are also a handful of original paintings by Peter Paul Rubens. I am not a huge art aficionado but Ruben’s house is just down the road in Antwerp and also open as a museum for those that are. Other rooms display the metal blocks and associated equipment that were used in printing, the kind of thing I had seen before elsewhere at other museums but the sheer size of the collection here is impressive and the various displays are all well-presented and explained.
The best room was saved for last, with a row of original printing presses attached to the wooden beams of the ceiling and a row of desks opposite with more metal type blocks. It really gave the impression of being in a genuine print workshop of the 1500s and was a remarkable end to a wonderful visit, a very enjoyable couple of hours I would recommend to anybody in the Antwerp area. Plantin started printing in 1555, over a century after Johannes Guttenberg created his first moveable type press in 1439, but the level of preservation here is what sets this museum apart. The printing business continued in the same family here until 1876 when it was donated to the city of Antwerp and, within one year, transformed into a museum. Therefore, many of the fittings, books, presses, and so on are as they were when the business closed and present a fabulous continuous history of printing technology from its inception to the modern era. I returned to the station and still had time before my train so took the opportunity to wander Antwerp Zoo, the oldest in the country as it dates from 1843. Much like the Plantin-Moretus museum, this was small but densely packed and I can also highly recommend it if you like that sort of thing. I eventually returned to Antwerp station and boarded the train to Amsterdam for a long weekend. I am happy to say that, as the last WHS after a week Belgium, Plantin-Moretus was one of the best not only of that trip but that I have seen anywhere. It may not have the grandeur or scale of the more famous sites but for what it is, a monument to the printing revolution that contributed so immensely to the Renaissance and the Reformation, it was perfect.
Jay T
The United States celebrates National Library Week each April, but libraries in the US and around the world would be in poor shape were it not for publishing houses and the printed word; hence, the Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp, Belgium, finds its place on the World Heritage Site list. I had high expectations for the museum when I visited last August, and the audio tour I took easily met those expectations. The Plantin-Moretus Museum showcases a 16th century publishing house run as a family business. While walking through the house, guests have the opportunity to view and learn about the library, typesets and printing presses (including the two oldest printing presses in the world), and famous works the family had printed, including the Biblia Polyglotta and an atlas by fellow Antwerpenaar Abraham Ortelius. I was particularly amused to learn that Times New Roman, a font I use often when writing, is based on a typeface designed by the Plantin Press. In addition to printing books, the presses also were used for illustrations and drawings, including a fantastic piece showing what the business looked like 400 years ago. I highly recommend this site to anyone visiting Belgium.
Logistics: The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a short walk away from central Antwerp.
S. Anril Tiatco
Johannes Gutenberg’s movable-type was quicker than the traditional woodblock printing. This paved the way for the rapid printing of the bible (“Gutenberg Bible”) which eventually placed the movable-type as an important “invention” in the early modern European period. The printing press even assisted Martin Luther in the quick dissemination of the infamous “Ninety-five Theses” or “Disputation on the Power of Indulgences” which shook the authority of the Catholic Church. Eventually, the technology of the press rapidly spread in the European continent. One of the figures who was influenced by Gutenberg’s invention was Christophe Plantin.
Plantin’s printing company was founded in the 16th century. The workshop (printing press) was established in his house in Antwerp, Belgium. During his time, Plantin was considered a major figure in printing, especially since he was constantly printing manuscripts in the humanities.
Today, the once-upon-a-time workshop house and mansion is now a museum. The 16th century-printing technology and system is still functional. Once in a while, some documents/manuscripts are still being printed through the movable type. Now known as the Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nominated by City of Antwerp in 2002 and finally inscribed in 2005.
The museum was excellently curated. Entering from the first section ("the house") to the workshop itself was a walk back in the early modern era - the decorations, the arrangements of the furniture and the ambiance.
The museum houses a massive and impressive collection of 16th to 19th century printed collections - mostly manuscripts printed by Plantin and his son-in-law, Moretus. Some of the important collections in the museum are: the Biblia Polyglotta (printed between 1568 and 1573), Cornelis Kiliaan's Thesaurus Teutoniae Linguae (the first Dutch Dictionary), Abraham Ortelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarum(the first printed atlas), a 16th century book of herbs called Cruydtboeckcollated by Rembert Dodoens, an anatomical book by Andreas Vesalius and Joannes Valverde, Simon Stevin's book of decimal numbers, 36 line Bible, Peter Paul Ruben's drawings and paintings, and a collection of Justus Lipsius works (most important work printed was his book of history).
For printing enthusiasts (book lovers as well), do not forget to visit the workshop. On a personal note, I found myself appreciating more the value of printed materials: its significance in the history of communication and information. According to the website of the complex, the workshop is the "heart of the mansion." It contains the two oldest printing presses in the world, dating from around 1600. The six other presses are still in working order.
More about the museum-complex, visit my blog.
Read more from S. Anril Tiatco here.
Gary Arndt
I visited here in January of 2017.
The Plantin-Moretus House was more interesting than I thought it would be. What made is so interesting is that a single family lived in the same house for several centuries, running a printing business in the same facility. Because of the continuity, they preserved some of the oldest printing presses and printing material in the world.
The house also contains several original paintings by Rubens, which you would otherwise have to go to an art museum to see.
The site is located in the heart of Antwerp and is easy walking distance from the Cathedral and other attractions.
Read more about the Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex on my website.
Michael Turtle
When you visit the Platin-Moretus Museum, there are a few different elements to explore. The first is the building itself, which is architecturally significant. Inside, you’ll also find the living quarters of the family – grand rooms filled with collectables and less lavish areas for the staff.
It’s worth taking note of a small room on one side of the house which looks like a quaint old bookstore. In fact, it is, and the company sold books from here directly to people on the street.
A highlight is stepping into the Great Library. This was designed like a private humanist library of the 17th century with busts, globes and paintings decorating the areas not taken up with books. Although the collection of books here has been expanded since the library was created, it’s still an authentic representation.
Read more from Michael Turtle here.
Klaus Freisinger
This museum is really a hidden treasure that the crowds that flock to Antwerp's cathedral and market square, which are really just a few steps away, often overlook. It has been described in detail on this page already, and I can certainly say that it would be a big mistake to leave this great city without visiting the Plantin-Moretus Museum and learn more about printing, books, atlases, libraries, history, philosophy, geography - the beginning of the modern world, really. On a side note, just around the corner (almost) is the entrance to the St. Anna Tunnel, where pedestrians and cyclists can cross the Schelde River underwater to admire the city's skyline from the opposite bank.
Clyde
I had visited Antwerp twice and didn't know that this WHS museum was there! It is really interesting and well worth a visit although quite expensive.
Allison Vies
Switzerland/Peru - 10-Apr-10 -
I strongly agree with Ian. I visited the museum this April and loved it. Incomprehensible why in some Antwerp travel guides the museum isn’t even mentioned as a highlight. The museum is definitely a must to see in Belgium. It’s really easy to reach, as it’s in the centre of Antwerp, a few minutes walking distance from the main square. I think everything about the museum is already told by Ian. I just can ad that apart from the museum, Antwerp itself is well worth a visit (the small Belfry is also Unesco listed). The main square can compete with those from Bruges or Brussels, there is a gigantic cathedral and the train station is more kind of a palace. Further it seems that there is a restaurant for every kitchen of this planet. If you go to Belgium it would be a big mistake not to visit Antwerp and the Plantin-Moretus Museum.
Ian Cade
This is a truly fantastic site, sometimes I wonder about the merits of later and more esoteric additions to the list; however this place fully warrants its inclusion.
The building itself is pretty impressive and the level of decoration throughout is striking, especially the guilt leather wall coverings. The courtyard is also very nice and many of the rooms look out onto it.
The exhibits themselves are world class, notable are; the two oldest printing presses in the world, original works of many important Humanist philosophers (of whom Justus Lipsius once worked in the house), masses of typographical matrices including originals by Garamond (it is almost certainly in your font collection on your computer still), many book decorations by family friend Rubens with their original printing plates and a 36 line Gutenberg Bible! On top of this are the entire accounts of the Officina Plantiniana starting from 1555, which are included on the UNESCO Memory of the World list in their own right. There is so much more but not enough time to list all on display.
The highlight for me was the Geographical room featuring several globes masses of maps and what is regarded as the first printed Atlas.
The thing that makes this such a special site; and a main reason ICOMOS sighted for its inclusion, is that it is all in situ. These were where most of the items displayed were conceived/ created/ printed, all in Antwerp which was a key centre of early printing.
The free audioguide was exceptional; it did a fantastic job of weaving the philosophical and practical aspects of the Renaissance and Counter Reformation together and illustrating their progression and contemporary relevance.
A world class site and should not be missed, it was the site with which I "completed" Belgium and stands out as a highlight for me. A personal favourite WHS.
Els Slots
This museum is located in a patrician's house on a quiet square in the center of Antwerp. It really shouldn't be missed by anybody interested in history (or WHS). There's much more to see and tell than can be said on this one page.
The whole museum is excellent. I spent about two hours there doing the rounds with an audioguide. Its special attractions are threefold: a great building with period furniture, the introduction to the 16th and 17th-century printing business and the priceless collection of books and prints. The Plantin-Moretus family was very wealthy and collected many original pieces (like a Gutenberg Bible).
There are about 30 rooms you can enter, ranging from libraries to the family bedroom. The craftsmanship of the printing industry is detailed in a video. After that, you can amaze yourself at the collection of materials and instruments that is still there and looks like it could be working again any minute. They were printing in French, Greek, Latin, Hebrew and even Ethiopian. Mistakes were spotted by editors and then corrected before the final prints were made.
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