Museum Hof van Busleyden reopens from 24 February 2024, with a new collection presentation, yet most importantly with the extraordinary temporary exhibition Knights of the Golden Fleece: a brilliant myth unravelled.
Mounted knights ride through Mechelen’s Grote Markt in a colourful procession. It is 1491, and a special chapter of the Order of the Golden Fleece has descended on the city on the Dyle. The exhibition entitled Knights of the Golden Fleece: a Brilliant Myth Unravelled allows you to relive the gathering of the knights in 1491, one of the biggest and most significant festivities in the history of Mechelen. Your introduction to the famous Burgundian knighthood is made through a unique set of 15th-century coats of arms, created especially for the Mechelen convocation. This is the first time that the 29 coats of arms have been visible at such close quarters since their restoration.
The exhibition disentangles the political intrigues and plotting behind one of Europe’s earliest political alliances – described by some as the forerunner to the European Union. Does the EU wish to align itself here with the grand tradition of the Burgundian Dukes? And while the Order may be a forerunner of the European Union, would we necessarily want it as our model for the future? Discover the answers in Museum Hof van Busleyden, till June 2nd 2024!
Curated by Hannah Iterbeke & Magali Elali
