Erasmus House, Brussels
Portrait of Erasmus in 1523 by Hans Holbien the Younger.
The Erasmus House in Brussels. Photo
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Archway in the gardens of the Erasmus House. Photo
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Closer look at the well-kept gardens. Photo
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U.S. First Lady Laura Bush visits the Erasmus House in February 2005.
Location map and aerial view of Erasmus House. For a larger interactive view, see our Brussels Map.
In the middle of an average neighborhood in Brussels stands the interesting redbrick Erasmus House, a brief home of the humanist reformer Erasmus of Rotterdam.
History
In the Middle Ages, Anderlecht was a small village of 300 inhabitants that included the Collegial Church of St. Guidon. Around the church were a number of important houses in which the canons lived.
Erasmus stayed in one of these houses in 1521; it was the home of his friend Pieter Wychman who was entrusted with teaching in the Chapter. Erasmus wrote to Guillaume Budé to say that he had followed his advice and had come to Anderlecht as he wanted to play at being a farmer.
Erasmus did not actually stay here very long, but he made a big impression: as early as the 17th century pilgrims visited the house ‘where the great Erasmus had lived’. Today the "Erasmus House" shelters both a museum and a study center with early manuscripts of Erasmus' works.
What to See
The Erasmus House has been restored to the way it looked in 1521, the year the great humanist came to Brussels for the fresh air. First editions of In Praise of Folly, and many early prints of other books by Erasmus can be inspected here, and are used by Erasmus scholars. There are some extraordinary works of art, including prints by Albrecht Dürer and oils by Holbein and Hieronymus Bosch.
A moderate by nature, Erasmus never joined the Protestant movement. Nevertheless, he was out of tune with the ecclesiastical authorities of his day, and some of the pages on view show where the censors stepped in to protect the faithful. His works were influential on other reformers, including Luther and Calvin.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Erasmus House; Maison d'Erasme; Erasmushuis |
| Location: | Brussels, Belgium |
| Categories: | Museums; Historical Sites |
| Date: | 1521 (Erasmus stayed here); 1932 (museum founded) |
| Status: | museum |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Rue du Chapître 31, 1070 Brussels, Belgium |
| Coordinates: | 50.836557° N, 4.307424° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Phone: | + 32 (2) 521 13 83 |
| Website: | www.erasmushouse.museum |
| E-mail: | info@erasmushouse.museum |
| Public transport: | Subway: Saint-Guidon Tram: 56 Bus: 47, 49. |
| Official tours: | Guided tours for groups (20-50 people) can be arranged on request |
Travel Resources
- Brussels Map - our detailed interactive map of Brussels, plus hand-picked links to more
- Brussels Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Brussels Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Brussels
- Brussels Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- Brussels Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
Article Sources
- Fodor's Belgium, 3rd ed.
- Erasmushuis - official website
- Erasmus House - opt.be
Last updated on September 24, 2009.
