The Adornes Estate
The Adornes Estate is a private family estate, founded by the Adorno family from Genoa, Italy and dating from the 15th century. It consists of the Jerusalem Chapel, almshouses and a mansion with a large adjacent garden. Today, Count & Countess Maximilien de Limburg Stirum, the 17th generation since the founders, are passionately committed to the preservation of this exceptional Bruges heritage.
“The Adornes Estate has been a private house, a religious foundation, a monastery, a school and a lace museum. Throughout the centuries, the Estate has had several functions, but its focus has always been the fundamental values that Anselm established: family, faith and stimulating knowledge. Anselm Adornes was undoubtedly a humanist, a man of the Flemish Renaissance. As such, he remains an essential source of inspiration until today.
Maximilien & Véronique de Limburg Stirum
The museum
Your visit to the Adornes Estate should start in the museum, housed in the former almshouses. Meet the Adornes family and their rich history through films, quizzes and puzzles.
The Jerusalem Chapel
The family chapel, consecrated in 1429, is the jewel of the estate. its strange architecture and unique interior appeal to everyone’s imagination. A piece of the Middle East in the heart of Bruges.
Exhibitions
In the Peter Rooms, the oldest part of the estate where a coach house used to be, the Adornes family shows its affinity with art. Two modern art exhibitions are held here every year.
When there is no contemporary art exhibition, a photograpic collection offers a look behind the scenes of the daily life and management of the estate over the past 100 years.
The Scottish Lounge
Discover the unique connection between the family Adornes and Scotland in our museum. After that, enjoy a cold or hot beverage in this cosy area which is an ‘honesty bar’.
Shop
At the end of your visit, pop into our shop! Not only will you find an extensive selection of books about Bruges and / or about the Middle Ages, but you will also find Scottish products.
Interested in the history of the Adornes family? Véronique Lambert, doctor of history, wrote the chronicle of the Adornes and their descendants in 2018 in the book “the Adornes Estate and the Jerusalem Chapel in Bruges; a unique heritage of the Middle Ages”.
Het Adorneshuis
The two floors in the private house, where once Anselm Adornes’ office was located, can only be visited in groups with a guide. These rooms were completely restored a few years ago and now house an impressive art collection.
For the different formulas of a group visit, click here.