Horta, father of Art Nouveau artchitecture

If you are interested in architecture and/or art you may have learnt about Art Nouveau. This style, popular between 1890 and 1910, is inspired by nature and particularly the curved lines of plants and flowers. Belgian architect Victor Horta (1871-1947) can be considered as the father of Art Nouveau architecture. Four of the houses he built in the city – Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel van Eetvelde, Hôtel Solvay, and the Horta Museum have been designated Unesco World Heritage Sites.

Horta designed not only those houses, but also all of the interior decoration, furniture, carpets, and architectural details. Unfortunately, from the four mentioned buildings only one can be visited, the Horta Museum. The Horta Museum built between 1898 and 1901 in the Saint-Gilles neighbourhood, was Horta’s private house and studio. It is easily accessible from the city centre by tram or walking.

If you arrive in Brussels by train you may just contemplate the Central Station and, close from it, the Palais des beaux-arts of Brussels, both designed by Baron Horta Victor.

http://www.hortamuseum.be