The Master Tour: your connecting thread from place to place

Descent from the Cross - Peter Paul Rubens in Antwerp

The places where Flemish Masters can be found are not islands in themselves. On the contrary, a wonderful connecting thread hangs between numerous destinations. The Golden River, for example, the nickname of the River Lys. Or a sea of mother-of-pearl, as James Ensor once described the North Sea.

On these pages you discover what connections there are between the different places. And the connecting thread will serve as a guide for your fascinating journey, in the footsteps of the Masters. 

Choose your Master Tour from place to place

Sint-Martens-Latem

Masters by the Lys

How did Sint-Martens-Latem become a centre of symbolism, impressionism and expressionism? Find out during your walk, bike ride or boat trip in this oasis of..
Ostend
Visit Oostende

Masters by the sea

Ensor, Spilliaert, Delvaux and Permeke: they all listened to the lure of the waves. Stroll past museums, artists’ homes and churches, enjoying the salty sea..
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Hanswijkbasiliek

Masters from Mechelen and More

The Iconoclasm is a grim chapter in the history of Flanders. Mechelen witnessed the destruction of many churches and monasteries.
Bruges
Visit Bruges - Jan Darthet

Master Tour Bruges

For centuries now, Bruges has been one of Europe’s most important cities.
Visitor Center St. Bavo's Cathedral
© Piet De Kersgieter

Master Tour Ghent

This Master Tour takes you on an unforgettable journey through time.
Broeltorens
Visit Kortrijk

Master Tour Kortrijk

Flemish masterpieces in medieval churches in the middle of a historic centre? Check. Contemporary architecture, modern art and innovative design?
Stadsmuseum De Hofstadt
Christophe Ketels

Master Tour Theodoor van Loon

Even though the name Theodoor van Loon does not resonate like those of Rubens or van Dyck, the baroque painter left behind some astounding masterpieces.
Peter Paul Rubens
FOTO NA RESTAURATIE_9_Peter Paul Rubens, Zelfportret, Rubenshuis Antwerpen, opname 12 april 2018, na restauratie KIK-IRPA, foto KIK-IRPA Brussel

Master Tour Peter Paul Rubens: the genius of Antwerp

Artist, marketer, scientist, diplomat and family man. Rubens was an extraordinary talent, but also an ordinary man.

Master Series

Flemish Masters come in many forms. You'll notice that on this page, as you'll get to know three completely different sets of masterpieces that can be found at different locations throughout Flanders. Yet for all its diversity, that trio is linked by an almost unbreakable thread. You see, all three of them bear witness to sublime Flemish craftsmanship spanning a period from the early Middle Ages to the 20th century.
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk in Sint-Truiden
Jean Housen - CC Wikimedia

Reliquaries

This Master Series is actually based on a two thousand-year-old tradition – the veneration of relics. Numerous churches and monasteries in Flanders.
Sint-Bernadus
Westtoer

Artists’ homes

That makes the Flemish Masters in situ so unique: you admire the works in the place where the artist created them.