“Picture; Rijksmuseum Amsterdam”
Amsterdam has numerous museums, some of which are world renowned. Here’s a brief guide to five of the best.
The Rijksmuseum
For the past ten years, the Rijksmuseum has mainly been closed for renovations, with only a tiny portion of its collection on display, but that has now changed.
The historic main building, designed by Pierre Cuypers and built between 1876 and 1885, has been restored, creating a wonderful space to display some of the world’s most famous artwork.
The Rijksmuseum is probably best known as the home of Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, and there are other works by Dutch Golden Age painters too.
The museum has around 1 million objects that reflect arts, crafts, and history, spanning the years from 1200 to 2000.
The Rijksmuseum is just outside the historic centre of Amsterdam, on the Museumplein, and is best reached by the city’s tram network.
Anne Frank House
As one of the most famous museums in Amsterdam, Anne Frank House is always busy, particularly during the summer when there’s usually a crowd winding its way around the outside of the building, waiting to go in.
Anne Frank House is on a far smaller scale than the likes of the Rijksmuseum, but this was, after all, the home of the girl who recorded her family’s wartime struggle in a diary.
Once you enter the museum, you walk around, self-guided, seeing rooms and hiding places that the family had to use regularly before they were betrayed and discovered, then sent to a concentration camp.
There are exhibits within the museum as well, telling the life of the Frank family and how Jews, in general, suffered.
It’s a very moving place and strongly recommended while visiting Amsterdam. The museum is in the heart of historic Amsterdam.
See the Museum Anne Frank website for more information.
Amsterdam Museum
For a general look at the history of Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Museum is the one to visit.
Located within the city’s former orphanage on Nieuwmarkt Square, this museum features the city’s history from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Exhibits include archaeological findings, photographs, models, paintings and more.
Read more about the museum on the Amsterdam Museum website.
Van Gogh Museum
The Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House are Amsterdam’s second and third most famous museums, but the Van Gogh Museum is the most visited.
Set in the Museumplein area of the city, just outside the historic centre, this art museum was established in 1973 and has become the country’s most visited museum.
It features the world’s most extensive collection of Van Gogh paintings and drawings, with works including The Yellow House, Sunflowers, and The Potato Eaters.
There are also works by other famous artists of the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements, such as Paul Gauguin, Monet, Manet, and Redon.
The Van Gogh Museum website has all the information you need.
Rembrandt House Museum
The life of another famous artist can also be discovered here in Amsterdam.
Rembrandt House Museum is close to the new town hall, and this home, where Rembrandt lived in the 1600s, has been refurbished to how it would have been during his occupancy.
If you’re interested in the artist, this museum is fascinating and holds significant historical value too.
Visit the Rembrandt Museum website for more information.