The State Archives – officially called the National Archives and State Archives in the Provinces – are a federal scientific institute that is part of the Federal Science Policy Office of Belgium.
The State Archives were created in 1796 and are the main administrator of the archival patrimony of Belgium. The institution has 18 reading rooms spread across the country’s State Archives depositories and puts more than 200 km of archives material and 25 km of books at the disposal of the public. The State Archives are furthermore a knowledge centre for historical information and archives administration. They provide advice and ensure the proper preservation of the archives of the Belgian authorities.
On a regular basis, the State Archives organise exhibitions for the public. Most of them take place at the National Archives in Brussels. Large-scale exhibitions are presented at a place specially arranged for this purpose and located at Rue de Ruysbroeck no. 8. As for the entry hall of the National Archives, it accommodates the smaller expositions.