Major Town Houses
This entry consists of the four major town houses designed by the architect Victor Horta: Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay, Hôtel van Eetvelde, and Maison & Atelier Horta, all located in Brussels.
Victor Horta was born in Ghent and lived between 1861 and 1947. He was one of the most prominent men in the Art Nouveau-movement, a new decorative style that developed in the late 19th century. Characteristics are for example the use of industrial materials like steel and iron in the visible parts of houses, new decorations inspired by nature, decorative façades of houses.
Most of these principles can be seen in the house that Victor Horta built for himself in the late 1890's. This house now is a museum.
Art Nouveau . Named after individual people . Located in a Capital City .
Visit September 2002
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The house I visited is the house where Horta used to live, and the only one you can visit. I joined quite a number of tourists, mostly Americans and Japanese. They were all dressed up, probably trying to blend in with the exclusive atmosphere in the rooms.
Most striking feature I found the spiralling staircase. When you look down from the highest floor (the 5th or so), it is as if you look into an elegant labyrint.
Note: as you are not allowed to take pictures inside, the small pics no. 1 and no. 3 are not mine, but © Musée Horta.
Reviews
Henry and Jessica Townsend (USA):
A few years ago we were in Brussels and walked by the Tassel House. The front door was open, but we could see inside and see that repairs were being done. We were invited in and were dazzled. More wonderful than the Horta House. I do not know how often it is open, but our visit was a great treat. Wonderful pictures of the front stairway and floor as well. |
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Ingemar Eriksson (Sweden):
Ok, nice house and outstanding features but is it really worth an World Heritage? I think not.
Altougt, there are many reasons to keep the houses and they are a must see if you are fond of Art Noveau - Jugend. |
| Date posted: June 2006 |
Ian Cade (England):
 The works of Victor Horta are reasonably spread out in Brussels so to walk around the three southern ones, around Sablon area which Ave. Louise runs through, give yourself a little bit of time or if you are waiting for a train in Brussels you may have enough time to get to the Maison Horta museum. The facades of the buildings are nice with elaborate extras, the real beauty lies in the decoration of the buildings, and unfortunately you can only see this at the museum as the others are private buildings. The decoration is impressive in Maison Horta the centre piece is the stair case, but the way that the furnishings throughout the building al tie into the main theme gives the building a really comprehensive feel. There are many other Art Nouveau buildings in Brussels that are well worth a visit as well to suppliemnet and get you in the mood especially the Old England Building on the hill up toward the Parc De Bruxelles. |
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