The helicopter platform on the roof is a clue. It was put there by the eccentric Antwerp artist known as Panamarenko.
Now owned by the contemporary art museum M HKA, the artist’s former home in Antwerp’s Seefhoek quarter is open for small groups of visitors. It is worth trying to book a visit to see inside the town house and garage, where the artist lived for more than 30 years, until his death, along with his mother, six parrots and a collection of aircraft parts.
Panamarenko (who took his name from Panam airlines) spent his life building strange flying machines, replica submarines and mechanical chickens. His home is filled with odd dusty objects, old toys and haunting poetic works.
Guided tours are organised on two days every month for a maximum of eight visitors. Book online at least a month ahead.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.
