Information
Landmark: Belgian Comic Strip CenterCity: Brussels
Country: Belgium
Continent: Europe
Belgian Comic Strip Center, Brussels, Belgium, Europe
Overview
The Belgian Comic Strip Center, or CBBD, is a museum that celebrates the history of Belgian comics, tracing their evolution and the way they’ve shaped pop culture worldwide-right down to the crisp ink lines of a Tintin adventure.In Brussels, the center honors the nation’s rich comic art tradition, displaying treasured works by legendary artists like Hergé, who brought Tintin to life, and Peyo, creator of the cheerful blue Smurfs.Founded in 1989, the Belgian Comic Strip Center honors Belgium’s vibrant comic tradition, from bold ink lines to the scent of fresh-printed pages.The center was born from the realization that Belgium plays a major role in the world of comics, often earning the nickname “land of comics.” Its museum aims to protect and showcase that history, while helping visitors understand the medium’s cultural weight-like how Tintin’s adventures still spark imaginations decades later.The museum sits inside the Art Nouveau Waucquez warehouse, a graceful structure Victor Horta designed in the late 19th century, its tall windows catching the light.The building’s design feels like art in its own right, echoing the lively, imaginative energy you find the moment you step through its bright red doors.It started out as a textile warehouse, its brick walls smelling faintly of dye, before becoming home to the Belgian Comic Strip Center.The Belgian Comic Strip Center’s permanent and rotating exhibitions trace the journey of Belgian comics, from their first simple ink sketches to the bold, colorful stories artists create today.The museum’s standout attractions celebrate Belgium’s comic book heritage, from Tintin’s globe-trotting escapades with Snowy to the Smurfs’ tiny blue world, Spirou and Fantasio’s fast-paced newsroom adventures, and Lucky Luke’s quick draw under a blazing desert sun; visitors can also wander through exhibits tracing the evolution of comics across the decades.From the first rough caricatures in yellowed newspaper pages to the sleek, full-color panels of today’s graphic novels, the exhibition traces the evolution of style, theme, and storytelling.The museum also shines a light on today’s comic creators, especially those who’ve stretched the medium’s limits-like artists whose panels spill beyond the page’s edge.The exhibitions feature pieces from Belgium’s vibrant contemporary comic scene, along with striking works that show how Belgian artists are making their mark around the world.You’ll spot pieces by well-known contemporary artists, including Hermann and Stéphane Oiry, alongside several others.Alongside its permanent collection, the Belgian Comic Strip Center often stages temporary exhibitions-one month you might see original inked pages from a single artist, another time a deep dive into how a style or theme has evolved over decades.These exhibitions pull you into the hidden corners of the comic world, where you can linger over rare sketches and stories most fans never see.Key Features and Attractions – Themed Rooms and Displays: The museum’s split into distinct sections, each celebrating a different chapter of comic history, from vintage pulp covers to the bright splash pages of modern heroes.Highlights include the Gallery of Heroes, where statues of Belgium’s beloved comic characters stand beside playful touch-screen displays, and Hergé’s Studio, a space that pulls back the curtain on the painstaking craft behind Tintin.You’ll see original sketches, hand-drawn storyboards, and notes tracing how the comic came to life, along with rare pages and early drafts from celebrated artists that pull back the curtain on their creative process; at the Belgian Comic Strip Center, you can dive in yourself-sketch a panel, bring a character to life in a quick animation, or swipe through a digital comic glowing on the screen.Comic Book Shop: The museum’s shop offers shelves of colorful comic books, vibrant prints, quirky merchandise, and even a few rare artifacts for visitors to take home.You’ll find everything from vintage comic series with yellowed pages to fresh new releases, making it the perfect spot to pick up a souvenir or grow your collection.The Belgian Comic Strip Center also buzzes with workshops, talks, and lively events that bring the world of comics to life.The museum often hosts hands-on workshops for all ages, where visitors can try their hand at comic book creation and illustration; lively conferences and lectures with artists and industry experts, who share stories about the history and evolution of comics; and film screenings of favorites like *The Smurfs*, *Tintin*, and *Lucky Luke*.You’ll find the Belgian Comic Strip Center at 20 Rue des Sables in the heart of Brussels, just a short walk from the Grand Place, and it’s usually open every day, though hours may change for special events or holidays.Before you go, check the museum’s website for the latest hours and details-don’t trust last week’s flyer.Admission isn’t free, but students, seniors, and kids can get in at a lower rate.At certain times of the year, you might catch special discounts or even wander in for free.In the end, the Belgian Comic Strip Center is a place every comic lover-and anyone curious about the rich cultural weight of Belgian comics-should see at least once.The museum tells the full story of the country’s comic art, from beloved vintage heroes to fresh, bold pieces by today’s artists, with pages that still smell faintly of ink.Whether you’ve loved Tintin since you could turn a page, laughed with the Smurfs, cheered on Lucky Luke, or are just curious about comics, the Belgian Comic Strip Center invites you in with bright displays, clever storytelling, and plenty to delight visitors of any age.
