The museum gardens of Museum Hof van Busleyden will undergo major changes in the coming year. The design, which aims to offer a layered, contemporary response to the Renaissance garden, is by landscape and garden architect Ronald van der Hilst, known for the Hortus Conclusus in Antwerpen. Visual artist Berlinde De Bruyckere is responsible for the artistic implementation.
The redesign of the garden was preceded by historical research into what the gardens must have looked like during the life of Hiëronymus van Busleyden. It concerns the large museum garden on Sint-Janstraat and the two smaller interior courtyards on Frederik de Merodestraat. Odile De Bruyn conducted the historical research, Antwerp landscape and garden architect Ronald van der Hilst is responsible for the design and execution. He assembled a team with contemporary artist Berlinde De Bruyckere among others, who takes charge of the artistic component.
With the transformation of the gardens, the museum primarily wants to create a green space where museum visitors can discover the city palace in peace and quiet, but also where neighborhood residents can relax or participants can enjoy concerts and events. Special to schools and children, there will also be an educational pavilion in one of the gardens. The renovation will be realized with recovery funds that Flemish Minister of Tourism Zuhal Demir has allocated via Toerisme Vlaanderen.
Flemish Minister of Tourism Zuhal Demir: "With the redesign of the museum gardens of Museum Hof van Busleyden into Renaissance gardens, important anchor points of my policy come together: the revaluation of a historical place with a soul, the interpretation of our heritage by an important contemporary master and the synergy between heritage, art, nature and tourism. This will be an example of balanced and quality tourism where residents, visitors from home and abroad, entrepreneurs and the place itself benefit from this green retreat."
Björn Siffer, Mechelen alderman for Culture: "The historical gardens not only connect the museum with the other Burgundian pearls in Mechelen, but are also an important link in the green belt that connects the large natural areas outside the city. In this way, the museum wants to be a starting point and an endpoint for visitors and for residents of the city. With the lush greenery and the artistic concept, we are also counting on international tourists with a preference for historical gardens."
Kristl Strubbe, director of Museum Hof van Busleyden, adds: "Thanks to the generous support of 600,000 euros via Toerisme Vlaanderen, we can create a new green oasis in the heart of the city. The new nature-inclusive design takes into account a cooling effect, including water features and more shade. These gardens will serve as a meeting place for different target groups but will also become a "home" for all Mechelaars."
Ronald van der Hilst: "Together with my team, I look forward enormously to being able to give this magnificent Renaissance city palace real gardens again. You couldn't dream of a better guide than the unique museum collection Besloten Hofjes to design gardens for this place. The theme of the Hortus Conclusus (hortus - garden, conclusus - enclosed) - has fascinated me for years because it is the source of garden architecture."
By the museum's reopening in early 2024, the new gardens should be ready.