Depot Rato is the shared heritage store house of Museum Hof van Busleyden and four other heritage partners in Mechelen. Since 2024, two converted factory buildings in the district of Muizen have housed thousands of works of art, archaeological finds, historic objects and books.
Where steam turbines, pumps and ventilation systems once rolled off the production line, heritage is now given the care and space it deserves.
Practical Info on Depot Rato
- Are you a researcher, volunteer or heritage professional? Depot Rato can be visited by appointment only
- As a visitor, you can discover Depot Rato on a group visit or on public open days such as Open Monument Day and Heritage Day.
- Address: Leuvensesteenweg 476, 2800 Mechelen
- Accessibility: the heritage store house is located in Muizen and is easily reached by De Lijn busses (routes 20, 21 and 4). If you're travelling by car, there is a large car park directly outside the building.
Depot Rato Today
Discover what the heritage store house looks like today and see how the largest pieces of the collections were transported.
Caring for Fragile Heritage
The heritage store house consists of two warehouses connected by a covered walkway. Each has its own purpose and layout.
Warehouse 1
- The first warehouse is where the collections team works with the newly acquired objects.
- You’ll also find the specially designed Library Box here
- Large objects, such as the Mechelen Giants and Ommegang parade floats are displayed here.
Warehouse 2
- The second warehouse is dedicated to the most fragile objects.
- Eight specially designed storage chambers maintain stable temperatures and humidity levels.
- These chambers are made from hemp-lime concrete, a sustainable material that naturally helps regulate the indoor climate.
Share
