This summer, Belgium’s oldest city is set to experience a true clash of generations. The prestigious Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren—voted Europe’s best museum and guardian of 500,000 years of history—is teaming up with LEGO mania for a one-of-a-kind summer adventure. A must-visit institution, it has become the country’s undisputed archaeological benchmark thanks to its unique collections and immersive activities. It’s the perfect opportunity to discoverthe highlight of the summer: an interactive tour where LEGO minifigures take over the ancient display cases. Designed by experts, this unique experience turns children into real treasure hunters and promises to reinvent family outings.
Unique masterpieces and ancient treasures: the secrets of the giant of Flemish archaeology
Founded in 1954 in the heart of the country’s oldest city, the Gallo-Roman Museum of Tongeren has established itself as the most renowned archaeological museum in Flanders. Located in an ancient Roman city, the institution has undergone spectacular renovations that earned it the title of “European Museum of the Year ” in 2011. Now managed by the city, the site featuresambitious temporary exhibitions developed in collaboration with Europe’s leading museums, constantly building bridges with society andcontemporary art to breathe new life into history.
The museum houses an ever-expanding collection that offers a comprehensive overview of the region’s civilizations, spanning from prehistory to the Early Middle Ages. The highlight of the galleries is the Roman period, when Tongeren was the prestigious administrative capital of a vast territory encompassing all of eastern Belgium. This modern, educational approach appeals to a wide audience, attracting up to 100,000 visitors each year from Belgium, the Netherlands, andGermany. It is this prestigious setting that is about to hostthe season’s most unique family event.
When archaeology meets LEGO: the season’s most unexpected pop culture pairing
From July 1 to August 28, the Gallo-Roman Museum swaps its solemn atmosphere for a healthy dose of colorful bricks with the interactive tour “THE LEGO ARCHAEOLOGISTS.” The adventure begins right at the entrance, in front of an impressive giant model depicting a bustling excavation site. The challenge? Set out in search of Robert the Digger and his team. Transformed into authentic LEGO figures, these mini-explorers have secretly slipped into the heart of the permanent exhibition’s display cases, mingling with the precious relics of the past for a one-of-a-kind game of hide-and-seek.
To design this immersive, ten-step journey, the museum enlisted a top expert: David Vanhee, an archaeologist by trade and a semi-finalist on the TV show LEGO® Masters. At each display case, children learn the secrets of archaeological research through fun challenges: drawing, solving puzzles, sorting, or measuring ancient artifacts. At the end of the journey, an exclusive surprise awaits the budding explorers in the famous “Vlieg treasure chest.” It’s the must-see vacation outing that combines culture, bonding, and nostalgia.
📍Kielenstraat 15, 3700 Tongeren-Borgloon
