Curtius Museum

The Curtius Museum, or the Museum of Archaeology, Religious and Decorative Arts, is perhaps the most magnificent mansion in Liège. It was built at the beginning of the XVII century in the style of the Maass Renaissance. The mansion originally belonged to Jean de Corté, who supplied arms to the Spanish army and was known as Curtius. The museum is named after him.

Nowadays there is a museum of art and archaeology. The collection collected here can tell the history of Liege from the time of the Gauls to the XVIII century inclusive. In the museum you can see decorative arts, ancient coins and religious artifacts. Perhaps the most valuable exhibit is the unique Gospel of Bishop Notker, dating from the X-XII century. Its binding is inlaid with precious stones, enamel and decorated with ivory. Also outstanding exhibits include the Madonna of the House of Rupert and the canvas “Bonaparte – First Consul”, which was painted by Jean Ingres in 1804, while Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France.

But in addition to the rarest exhibits, the museum often hosts exhibitions of modern art.