Once a department store, the building known as Old England is a striking showpiece of Art Nouveau architecture located by the Place Royale. The façade is made entirely of glass and elaborate wrought iron. There is a domed gazebo on the roof, and a turret to one side.

Surprisingly, it was only in the 1990s that a listed buildings policy was adopted in Brussels, which has secured treasures such as this. Much preservation work is now taking place. Old England is one of the buildings that has undergone extensive renovating work, having been used until recently as a temporary exhibition space. The building is now home to the Musee Instrumental, moved from the Sablon.

Today the collection contains more than 6000 items and includes many fine examples of wind, string and keyboard instruments from medieval times to the present. Chief attractions include a collection of prototype instruments by Adolphe Sax, the Belgian inventor of the Saxophone, mini violins favored by street musicians and a faithful reproduction of a violin maker’s studio.