A great rainy day activity, the Bruges Torture Museum is a look at the history of torture devices and punishments around the world.
My first experience with Bruges was watching the 2008 movie In Bruges, starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. It’s an offbeat, black comedy thriller with some good action scenes and lots of entertaining characters. Gleeson’s character says Bruges feels like a fairy tale, while Farrell keeps saying how he can’t wait to leave. Though the movie shows us plenty of the city’s attractions, it overlooks the Bruges Torture Museum.
Okay, maybe “torture” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you’re planning a vacation. But I always like to learn when I travel, and you will absolutely walk away with new knowledge, plus a greater appreciation about not growing up when torture was a common punishment.
What to expect at the torture museum
The Torture Museum Bruges is primarily filled with replicas of torture devices used in medieval times. Sometimes, it’s just a device by itself. Other times, we also see a wax figure getting the actual violent treatment happening to them.
This fella below is probably one of the more tamer parts. A couple of visuals were a little on the gory side of things. If you’re exceptionally squeamish or have young children, you might not enjoy the first section very much (or you can just keep your eyes closed) and have a friend lead you to the back area.
There’s quite a bit to read in each section, giving more insight into various torture methods and what crimes they were most commonly used for. There are also some stories about particular criminals or vagrants.
When I visited, it was a weekday afternoon, so it wasn’t too crowded. However, it’s a fairly narrow walkway throughout the entire museum, which could lead to slightly cramped quarters if you’re there at peak visiting hours.
But hey, that seems more in line with a torturous experience, doesn’t it?

Notable exhibits
The opening section is the most “visual” of the entire museum. You see the different forms of torture up close and personal, and even with wax figures, it’s obvious how much some of these things hurt! It sure made me grateful I didn’t grow up in medieval times. Or at Medieval Times, which would probably get repetitive after a bit.
I also spent a decent amount of time in a section in the back corner of the museum that’s easy to gloss over. It’s a list of every country and when they last stopped implementing torture as a method of punishment. I was legitimately shocked by how recently torture was still officially allowed in some places (though, sadly, it still exists around the world in less above-the-books methods).
Once you finish reading, head to the dungeon for an immersive and eerie experience. It’s a dark room, and it feels like you’re witnessing something macabre take place, although it’s not too gory or over the top.
Finally, chat a bit with the owner before you head out. He’s very friendly and speaks English and French—and possibly other languages; those were the only two I heard. He also has aspirations to open up some other Bruges attractions. Depending on your timing, maybe you can score a sneak peek!

How to visit the Bruges Torture Museum
The Bruges Torture Museum is along a street near the center of the city, right next to the House of Waffles. You know, in case all that torture works up an appetite.
You’ll walk down a set of stairs to enter the museum, which has been converted from the Old Stone, one of the oldest prisons in Europe. There’s no need to make a reservation. You can simply show up and enter.
As of this writing, entry into the Bruges Torture Museum costs 9 Euros. Each exhibit also has descriptions in multiple languages.
Address: Wollestraat 29, 8000 Bruges, Belgium
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (10 am – 6 pm), Monday through Sunday
Add the Bruges Torture Museum to your itinerary
The Bruges Torture Museum might not seem like a traditional place to see, but it’s an insightful look at the very horrible (and very real) things countries have done to punish criminals.
You can get through the entire museum in about an hour, and even quicker if you skip over reading in various sections. Thankfully—or perhaps unluckily, if you’re a glutton for punishment—you don’t have to go through any methods of torture to make it out intact.
Looking for a lighter experience in Europe? Check out this quirky statue tour in Prague!
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