Dive into our collections
Discover the Plantin-Moretus Museum collections online: the museum collection, old prints and manuscripts, prints and drawings, and archives. And new: 14.000 woodcuts in high resolution.
Be inspired by Impressed by Plantin
Our collection boasts no less than 14.000 woodcuts. 14.000 examples of real craftsmanship, masterfully carved illustrations. Go online to find out more in high resolution. To view, download and get creative. Share your creations on social media using the hashtag #impressedbyplantin.
Write a letter on stationery #impressedbyplantin
Writing letters is suddenly back in fashion. Surprise your parent, grandparent, or a friend you can’t see right now with a beautiful letter. And do it on home-made stationery! We’ll help you find out how to do it.
You can then get started yourself
Online exhibitions
The museum collection is so comprehensive, and in some cases very fragile, which means it is impossible for us to exhibit everything at the same time. This is why the Plantin-Moretus Museum is focussing on online presentations. These presentations highlight a specific aspect of our impressive collection.
View our online exhibitions here
Blog 'Stories from the Plantinian Archives'
The Plantinian Archives are a treasure trove of information about daily life at the Plantinian press. An That is why our archivist is able to bring the Moretus family and their employees back to life. The blog will be published on Medium, in English.
Find out more about this brand new blog
Play the party game Cavagnole
In the 18th century, the elite enjoyed playing party games. The Cavagnole lottery game reached the Moretus circle from the court of Versailles. Our archivist, Kristof Selleslach, accidentally found the rules in the Plantin archive. Would you like to join in?
The sound of Museum Plantin-Moretus
Imagine yourself at the Plantin and Moretus home with this playlist on Spotify.
Listen to the audio guide
For those who enjoy listening to the story of founder Christophe Plantin and his successors, the Moretus family, listen to a tour entitled Plantin visionary publisher. You can find it on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Colour our collection
The Prints room holds more than 20.000 drawings, prints, etchings, etc. You can now colour a small selection yourself.
Browse through the visitor's guide online
The visitor’s guide directs you through the museum and gives you more background information. The guide is full of fun facts. It provides you with information about the 9 generations of Plantin & Moretus, and you can get to know Christophe Plantin as ancestor, businessman, manager, humanist and publisher. Furthermore, the guide lists the most beautiful books printed in this house.
Read an old print
How good is your knowledge of the Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries? Read an old edition of the Plantin-Moretus Museum on Flandrica.be. This initiative of the Flemish Heritage Libraries contains fully digitised copies of early printed books. You will find 70 works from the museum.
Tip: Browse through the costume book by François Desprez. This book contains 120 woodcuts of traditional costumes from the 16th century. The purpose of this viewing catalogue was, as the author himself says, to “wonderlick uwe herte verheughen” [loosely translates to: “for your enjoyment”].
