Antwerp's Plantin-Moretus Museum Closes for Renovation, Aims to Revive Historic Kitchen

The historic Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp has closed its doors for a significant renovation and collection rearrangement, set to last until early December. The closure marks the beginning of an intensive period aimed at revitalizing the museum, which is housed in the former printing press of the Plantin-Moretus family. A key focus of the refurbishment is the museum's kitchen, which is being prepared to become a central part of the new permanent exhibition. "We want to bring back to life the activity that filled that space hundreds of years ago," a museum representative stated. Visitors were able to enjoy the museum during the 20th Antwerp Museum Night before the closure. The renovation coincides with symbolic anniversaries: the museum's 150th year and the 450th anniversary of Christoffel Plantijn's arrival at the building. The museum plans to relocate the bedroom and integrate the kitchen into the permanent display upon reopening. The kitchen, historically a hub of domestic and professional life, is intended to showcase the bustling atmosphere of the past, including interactions with suppliers and scholars. In addition to physical changes, the museum will introduce new narratives derived from extensive archival research, offering deeper insights into the daily lives and work within the historic house. A new interactive visitor app is also in development, providing digital context and stories for various objects, aiming to make the history of printing and the Plantin-Moretus family more accessible and engaging for a wider audience.

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We want to bring back to life the activity that filled that space hundreds of years ago.