In the warehouses at Depot Rato you will find the extensive collections held by several City of Mechelen departments. Together they comprise thousands of works of art, archaeological finds, archival records, historic objects and books. Depot Rato also plays an important role in preserving and passing on living heritage.
Museum Hof van Busleyden
The Museum Hof van Busleyden collection has developed organically over time and now comprises around 24,000 objects. Only a small proportion is displayed in the museum. These are the core collection and recognised masterpieces. The remainder, including the fine art collection, the historical collection and the decorative arts collection, are to be found in Depot Rato.
Het Predikheren Library
Did you know that most of Mechelen's library collection is not kept on the shelves of The Predikheren? It's extensive reserve collection is housed at Depot Rato. A specially designed Bibbox, containing almost three kilometres of shelving, preserves more than 100,000 books, journals, CDs and poetry collections for future generations.
Mechelen City Archives
Of Mechelen's five heritage partners, the City Archives holds the largest collection. Many documents are too fragile to be handled regularly and are therefore carefully preserved. A large proportion is available online. You can trace your own family history through birth and death records. Or go back and explore everyday life and major events in the Mechelen region from the Second World War through to the early 1970s. The records can be found in the regional image database.
Projects & Monuments
When we think of monuments, we often think of impressive historic buildings. Yet countless smaller architectural fragments also deserve to be preserved. Memorial stones, stained glass, columns… Authentic pieces replaced during restoration work or alterations and donated by owners, salvaged from demolished buildings or recovered from archaeological excavations.
Mechelen Heritage Cell
The Mechelen Heritage Cell does not maintain a collection of its own. Instead, it supports the city's many heritage organisations by providing expertise, including advice on the care of collections. One example is the Mechelen Giants, which have found a new home at Depo Rato. The volunteers of Reuzen Mechelen continue the long tradition of carrying the giants. Volunteers from the Mechelen Heritage Cell work alongside the team at Depot Rato. They join the museum staff in caring for the museum pieces in the store house.
Explore the Collection in More Depth
Discover the Entire Museum Collection
Today, the collection of Museum Hof van Busleyden contains some 24,000 objects.
Almost all of them can be explored through our online catalogue. Search by artist or artwork type.
A Century of News From Mechelen
The archive of the Gazet van Mechelen, covering the years 1896 – 1996, brings together a century of news from the city and surrounding region in the 20th century. The collection remained in private hands for decades before being donated to the city archives by the Goossens family. As a result, the newspapers have survived in remarkably good condition. This exceptional collection was digitised in partnership with publisher Mediahuis and heritage organisations in Mechelen and Antwerp.
Book a Tour of Depot Rato: A Look Behind the Scenes
Discover how Mechelen's heritage is cared for and preserved at the museum's collection store house in Muizen. Marvel at racks filled with paintings and sculptures and travel back through time as you explore archaeological finds and historical objects.
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