Theo Thijssen Museum
Theo Thijssen ... still a beloved figure in Dutch society and history.
In a small street in the charming Jordan area is an old small house, typical for the Jordaan area of Amsterdam you will find the museum of the popular Dutch writer and educator, Theo Thijssen. Author of many popular books for children in the Netherlands, he to this day remains a popular figure in Dutch history;
A small and nicely arranged museum about a popular Dutch writer and educator Theo Thijssen (1879-1943) and Amsterdam of his times. The museum revokes his popular in the Netherlands books and the atmosphere of the city a century ago.
The Museum is arranged in two rooms of the house, which is a modern reconstruction of the one, in which Theo Thijssen was born. The original house had literally fallen apart fifteen years ago. The friendly English speaking staff will provide you with explanations as the exhibits are in Dutch.
Address:
In the Jordan district.
Eerste Leliedwarsstraat 16
1015 TA Amsterdam
Phone:
+31 20 290 71 19
E-mail: info@theothijssenmuseum.nl
Open:
Thursday-Sunday, 12 pm - 5 pm.
Admission:
All tickets are € 2
How to get there:
By tram from the Amsterdam Central Station no. 13, 14, or 17 to the Westermarkt stop or by bus no. 21, 170, 171 or 172 to the Westermarkt stop.
The Theo Thijssen Museum is located in Jordaan, within a short walking distance from the Anne Frank House and The Tulip Museum.
Website: http://www.theothijssenmuseum.nl
Museum of Bags and Purses (Tassen Museum Hendrikje)
Museum of Bags and Purses is a private museum of ladies and yes gentelmans' handbags. Hendrikje Ivo, an antique dealer from Amstelveen who established the collection, has built an incredible collection of more than 3000 handbags. All the big designers’ names are represented, with Dior, Chanel and Versace, as well as hundreds of historic bags, some from the Middle ages.
The Museum of Bags and Purses displays the history of the western handbag from the late Middle Ages right up to the present. The collection provides a fascinating picture of how the bag has changed over the centuries in terms of function, form, material and decoration.
The museum is located in a magnificent historical building on the Herengracht in Amsterdam dating from 1664, right behind Rembrandtplein. Two period rooms can be viewed here complete with ceiling paintings and mantlepieces from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The museum shop contains a wide range of bags from Dutch and overseas designers. You can also order these via our webshop.
Additionally, the shop has a broad variety of cards, books and gift articles. The book of Bags contains more than 500 superb colour photographs of bags and accessories taken from the Museum of Bags and Purses collection.
The atmospheric museum café is located behind the building and has a splendid view of the museum’s historical garden.
| Visitor information: |
The Museum of Bags and Purses is situated on Herengracht 573 between Utrechtsestraat and Thorbeckeplein, directly behind Rembrandtplein and at a short distance (around 5 minutes walk) from Waterlooplein (at Waterlooplein there is an underground parking garage and metro stop).
Address:
Tassenmuseum Hendrikje/Museum of Bags and Purses
Herengracht 573
1017 CD Amsterdam
Phone:
Tel. +31 (0)20-524 64 52
Fax +31 (0)20-524 64 53
E-mail info@tassenmuseum.nl
Open:
Museum and shop: daily 10.00-17.00
Museum Café: daily 10.00-16.30
Closed: January 1, April 30, December 25.
The museum is also available out of normal opening hours for you and your guests.
For more information: +31(0)20-524 64 52
Admission:
Adults: € 6.50
Groups (over 10 persons), students, and 65+: € 5,00
(For groups over 10 persons, see also Group Arrangements)
School children (13- 18 years) and CJP: € 2,50
Children up to 12 years (inclusive): free
Friends of the Museum of Bags and Purses:Free
Holland Pass: Free
I amsterdam Card: Free
Accessibility
The museum premises and the museum café are completely accessible for wheelchair users. Only the museum shop has limited access (two steps); we are more than happy to assist.
Rules of the house
The exposed objects are vulnerable, especially to light, so photography and filming is not allowed. Smoking in the building is not permitted.
For information on guided tours or special arrangements please contact the Museum of Bags and Purses:
+31 (0)20-524 64 52 or info@tassenmuseum.nl |
The museum is open daily from 10.00-17.00. Click here for directions to the museum.
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Website: http://www.museumofbagsandpurses.com
Stadsarchief Amsterdam - Municipal Archives of Amsterdam
In the archives and their collections you can find out everything about the history of your relatives from Amsterdam, your house or the neighborhood you live in. The total length of the archives is about 35 km.
The Standsarchief organizes exhibitions and screens documentary films about Amsterdam.
In an old city like Amsterdam, the Municipal archives are enormous. In 2007 the municipality moved them to the huge building in the city center, creating probably the biggest city archive in the whole world. It is much bigger than the archives of London, Paris or Rome. This is because of the fact that important archives of companies (as Heineken or De Bijenkorf), institutions (as Concertgebouw) and historical persons (as a designer Benno Premsela) are stored at the Stadsarchief. The archive has also a rich collection of drawings and maps of Amsterdam from 17th and 18th century as well as historical photographs and films since the beginnings of these mediums.
For the visitor, the Stadsarchief mean not only possibilities of researching Amsterdam history. The archives aims at the large public – they organize exhibitions, tours of the their collection, projections of the archival films.
De Bazel
The Amsterdam archives are located in a building which is itself an architecture landmark. Designed as a main headquarters for an investment trading firm Nederlandse Handelmaatschapij, later taken over by the ABN AMRO bank, it has been built by an important architect of the beginning of the 20c. K.P.C de Bazel. De Bazel has been known at its time as an artist producing graphics and glass, designing furniture and building several synagogues in the Netherlands. This almost religious, full of mystique atmosphere you may still find at some parts of the Stadsarchief. The building was inspired by the North American architecture of the time. It has a concrete structure covered with granite with oak, granite, iron and ceramic interior. The construction took seven years (1919 – 1926) and the building’s creator died three years before it has been finished.
Original in its form, surprising inside, with a lot of natural light and unusual and rich décor, it is worth a visit on its own. Amsterdam Municipality purchased the building in 2000, under the condition that its monumental character will be preserved. Present reconstruction by an architect Felix Claus, brought the building closer to its original state removing some of the effects of some previous adaptations. Today, people from Amsterdam like the building and call it after its creator, simply - De Bazel.
An interesting place especially for people interested in Dutch history; certainly worth a short visit for everyone, since it is located in the very center of the town.
Open:
Tuesday until Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5.pm. Sunday 11 a.m.– 5 a.m. Closed on January 1 and public holidays.
Admission:
The entry to the archives is free of charge. Tickets for the exhibitions cost € 3,-. Children under 16 have a free entry.
The movie projections and the access to the Treasury (Schatkamer) are included.
Guided tours cost € 6,- and € 3,- for the visitors who are over 65.
The tours begin at 1 p.m. On Saturday there is an additional tour at 3 p.m.
You may reserve your place on the guided tour, two days earlier, at the Tel. +31202511510
E-mail:
rondleidingen@stadsarchief.amsterdam.nl
Guided tours for groups of visitors at other times are available at request: € 80,- for maximum 20 people (contact Mr. Menno Schraal at Tel.+31202511619 or +31202511619
The Stadsarchief is accessible for the disabled visitors.
Address:
Stadsarchief Amsterdam
Vijzelstraat 32
1017 HL Amsterdam
Telephone: +31 20 2511 511
How to get there:
Walking: From the Munt square (5 minutes).
By tram: From the Central Station lines 4, 9, 16, 24 and 25; stop De Munt.
By car: Closest car park is at the Stopera (Het Muziektheater/Stadhuis), on the Waterlooplein (10 minutes walk). If you are able to find a parking place, there is metered parking in all canal streets in the area.
Website: http://stadsarchief.amsterdam.nl/
De Appel (The Apple) - Foundation for contemporary art
A prestigious foundation for contemporary art organizing exhibitions and performances. De Appel aims to discover and present to a larger public the newest of the new in modern art.
Please note: De Appel has moved out of its premises at de Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 10. Currently de Appel is negotiating with Gemeente Amsterdam about its new 'home'. These negotiations are currently ongoing.
In September 2009 de Appel is expecting a directiorial decision that will finalize the choice for our future location.
From April 1st 2009 de Appel will be stationed at a temporary office space.
Our new correspondence address from 1 April 2009 onwards will be:
de Appel Office
Post Box 10764
1001 ET Amsterdam
Our new visitors address (by appointment only) is:
de Appel office
Damrak 70
1012 LM Amsterdam
Tel. +31020 6255651
Fax. 020 6225215
E-mail. info@deappel.nl
(Our telephone number and email will remain the same)
If you are interested in being kept up to date regarding developments concerning de Appel's relocation, please send message to press@deappel.nl with 'relocation mail' in the subject line.
Website: http://www.deappel.nl
ARCAM - Amsterdam Centre for Architecture
The ARCAM foundation aims to show the public all aspects of Amsterdam’s architecture – future, present and historical. It is housed in a unique building designed by René van Zuuk. A variety of exhibitions are held throughout the year, and once a month a distinguished architect is invited to talk about their own work.
In the 1970's, the Dutch were very unhappy about their modern architecture and a lot has been done to change that feeling. Today the contemporary Dutch architecture is one of the most interesting in the world. In 1986 a foundation was established to serve as an information centre for the new and old architecture of Amsterdam. Its activities are directed to the greater public, with the aim of getting people involved in the development of Amsterdam and its architecture. ARCAM works also with architects and institutions that today are influencing the city architecture. Especially focusing on young architects, who will eventually shape the future of Amsterdam urbanism, are the ARCAM targets.
ARCAM organizes five different exhibitions each year, which from one aspect concentrates on the new developments in architecture and on the other, the history of Amsterdam architecture. The architectural panorama displayed on one small wall, depicts and overview of the city's architecture over last 1200 years from the original landscape to today's modern city.
The ARCAM building:
ARCAM combines simplicity and function with a unique, modern style. Located in a small aluminum pavilion designed by the architect René van Zuuk, and was completed in the autumn of 2003. Built in a very traditional maner, over six years during the transition from the temporary Nemo Museum building.
Open:
Tuesday to Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibition space is closed during short periods between the shows. ARCAM information point and its library remain open.
Admission: Free
ARCAM has been deaigned to accommodate handicapped visitors.
Address:
ARCAM
Prins Hendrikkade 600
1011 VX Amsterdam
Location: Prins Hendrikkade 600 (in front of Nemo)
Phone:
Tel: + 31 20 620 48 78
Fax: + 31 20 638 55 98
E-mail: arcam@arcam.nl
How to get there:
Walking: from the Central Station along the Prins Hendrikkade (10 minutes): pass the Nemo Museum and before you reach the Scheepvaart Museum (Maritime Museum), you will see the ARCAM on your left.
By bus: lines 22, 42, 43 from the Central Station, exit on the stop Kadijksplein, and walk along Prins Hendrikkade for 5 minutes.
By car:
Ride along Prins Hendrikkade from the Central Station. ARCAM will be that strange, almost invisible aluminum building, in front of the Nemo museum and before you reach the Scheepvaartmuseum low on the quay. Try to enter one of the parking bays on your right and leave your car there, after paying for the parking at the meter (€3.60 an hour). There is also a big car park at the Hendrikkade 500.
Website: http://www.arcam.nl
Huis Marseille – Photography
Every three months this foundation for photography organizes new exhibitions in this former house of a wealthy French merchant. All imaginary forms of photography are on display, with an emphasis on the visual quality.
The foundation
"Huis Marseille - Museum for Photography", was opened on 18 September 1999. In its six exhibition rooms the museum presents new photo exhibitions every three months.
The layered structure of the house is very much suited to combining different exhibitions and highlighting the relationships between them.
The programme is diverse, with an emphasis on the visual quality of the works displayed. Huis Marseille covers a broad range of international photographic genres, including photography of artistic inspiration but also all imaginable forms of photography from past and present.
Work from the collection of Huis Marseille is also shown regularly.
Board of Trustees
Jos de Pont (President)
Hans Carlier
Hendrik Driessen
Pauline Kruseman
Steven Vis
The house:
Huis Marseille is established in a 17th century canal house. The stone tablet on the facade, with its map of the harbour of Marseille, dates back to the French merchant who had the house built in 1665.
In 1993 the De Pont Museum for Contemporary Art in Tilburg bought the house with the intention of restoring it, in order to provide space for a new cultural initiative in the field of photography: Huis Marseille. The architectural firm of Benthem Crouwel and restoration architect Laurens Vis have restored the house to its original state as much as possible. At the same time they made the house suitable for its new role as an exhibition centre for photography.
Two catalogues of Huis Marseille, its exhibitions and collection, have been published:
Catalogue 1, Amsterdam 1999 (with essays on Albert Londe, Daan van Golden and the history of the building)
Take Five! Huis Marseille Turns Five, Amsterdam 2004 (with a catalogue of the collection)
Library:
Since April 2003, the Huis Marseille library has been open to the public. In recent years Huis Marseille has put together a specialized collection of photography books, which now numbers around 2000 objects. The books can not be loaned, but they are available for perusal in the library.
The library is open during visiting hours (Tuesday - Sunday, 11.00 - 18.00 hr). Closed: Monday
Photography Library Online
In collaboration with the Nederlands Fotomuseum, Spaarnestad Photo, FOAM and Online photographic library catalogue for photography books has been launched.
You can consult this catalogue here > http://www.fotografiebibliotheek.nl
Huis Marseille activity:
House Marseille museum is collecting and exhibiting in its six exhibition rooms, photography in all its forms. The accent is put on the visual value of the works. Exhibitions change every three months.
Open:
Tuesday - Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Open on other holidays, including Easter Monday and Whit-Monday.
Closed on Mondays - Closed on January 1st, April 30th and December 25th,
Admission:
Adults - € 5.- Students, groups, young people - € 3.-
Visitors with the Museumkaart, ICOM pass, I amsterdam Card and children up to 17 years old – Free
How to get there:
Public transport: Trams 1, 2, 5 (get off at Leidsestraat / Keizersgracht)
Parking facilities:
Byzantium (10 minutes walk to Huis Marseille), Museumplein, Marnixstraat.
Address:
Huis Marseille, Museum for Photography
Keizersgracht 401
1016 EK Amsterdam
Pay attention to the numbers on Keizersgracht, because Huis Marseille is easy to miss walking, as the museum is modestly marked.
Phone:
Tel: +31 20 5318989
Fax: +31 20 5318988
e-mail: info@huismarseille.nl
Location: Keizersgracht 401
Website: http://www.huismarseille.nl
Vakbondsmuseum - Trade Unions Museum
Established in one of the finest trade union buildings, called de Burcht (Stronghold) by the Dutch classic architect Hendrik Berlage, built in 1900 for the Dutch diamond workers, the museum documents the trade union history of the Netherlands.
Dutch trade unions differ from the similar organizations in most of Europe, since they have always tried politically to stay in the center and to look for a compromise and not for a fight. Accordingly, The Trade Unions Museum through its modest exhibits tries to show the history of the movement and not their struggle and so the accent has not been put on conflict, but on understanding.
De Burcht Today, more a social discourse and cultural center than the headquarters of a movement. The building of De Burcht was originally constructed in 1903 for the Trade Union of the Diamond Workers (ANDB), by Hendrik Petrus Berlage, Probably the most famous Dutch architect. If you have seen the Amsterdam stock exchange called today Beurs van Berlage, near the Dam you will immediately recognize the architect's style of sober and powerful yet decorative at the same time.
De Burcht really looks like a stronghold. Its walls are thick and it has a predominant characteristic of many Berlage buildings, a large tower. Constructed with a variety of bricks, stones and tiles, and stained glass windows, it could be easily called the jugendstil castle. The ornamental symbol of the ANDB trade union reappears in many motiefs of the decoration. The interior is typically done in art nouveau with wall paintings by Roland Holst.
The museum is located in direct proximity to Artis Zoo and Museum and the WW II Resistance Museum, possibly a good suggestion for another place to visit while you are in the area.
Open:
Tuesday - Friday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed on Monday and all holidays.
Admission:
Adults - € 2,50 - Students, trade union members (ID required) - € 1.25 - Children until the age of 12, Visitors with the Museum card, school groups - Free
Address:
De Burcht, Henri Polaklaan 9,
1018 CP Amsterdam
Phone:
Tel: +31 20 624 11 66
Fax: +31 20 623 73 31
E-mail: vakmus@xs4all.nl
How to get there:
Walking: From the Waterlooplein (ca. 10 minutes).
By Tram: From the Central Station line 9, exit on stop Plantage Kerklaan, and walk (5 minutes) to Henri Polaklaan.
By Car:
From the Amsterdam ring (A10) take the exit S114 Artis. Ride through the Piet Hein tunnel staying on the left lane and follow the signs S100 Artis/Centrum Oostzijde. Pass Artis (on your left) and take on the first stop lights right in Plantage Parklaan and again right in Henri Polaklaan. The museum will be directly on your left.
You should be able to find a metered parking place at the museum, or park your car in the Artis Zoo car park and walk to the museum. You should pay for your Artis parking at the museum reception (to get the card to leave the parking - Dutch: uitrijkaart) at € 8,50. |
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Website (only in Dutch): http://www.deburcht.org
Persmuseum – Press museum
A very small museum specialized in the history of the newspaper and magazine publishing in the Netherlands. The Press Museum permanent exhibit under the title “Roll the presses” shows the history of the press in the Netherlands. Press photographs as well as publicity materials, publicity posters, as well as models of old printing presses, first photo cameras and a pre-World War II editor’s desk help to recreate the atmosphere of the conditions newspapers were made in the past. Features temporary exhibitions relating to many aspects of the Dutch publishing business worldwide. If you are especially interested in the subject of newspapers and media it is recommended. Not much else to see for casual visitors though.
Open:
Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed: Sundays and Mondays. Also January 1, Eastern Sunday, Ascension Day (Hemelvaart – May 17), Pentecost (Pinksteren - May 27), December 25, 26 (Christmas).
Admission:
Adults € 3.50 Children age 6-18 - Senior visitors age +65 - € 2.50 - Students - € 1.75 - Children below the age of 6 – Free - Guided tour € 27.50 .
The Press Museum is completely handicapped accessible.
The Press Museum has an online catalog of its rich collection of newspapers and related artifacts. The museum also researches the past and the present of the Dutch press and organizes lectures and debates on the subject.
How to get there:
Bus: From the Central Station - line 43 (direction Borneo Eiland) exit at stop Cruquiusweg; line 22 (direction Indische Buurt) exit at stop Zeeburgerdijk.
Tram: Line 14, exit at Javaplein, line 10 exit at the stop Van Eesterenlaan
Car: From A10 (ring road) exit on Zeebrug (S114) and follow the signs direction Zeebrug; after the Piet Hein tunnel take left direction Indische Buurt; at the first traffic lights – immediately after the bridge, when you see the large Sheepvaart Museum on your left - turn right and at the second traffic light turn right again.
On the roundabout take the second exit marked as Dead End Street.
After about 220 yards (200 meters) you will see the building of the IISG (Internationaal Instituut voor Sociale Geschiedenis) on your right.
Park your car and pay for the parking at the meter - the Press Museum is located at the back of the building.
Address:
Zeeburgerkade 10
1019 HA Amsterdam
Phone:
Telephone: +31 20 692 88 10
Fax: +31 20 468 05 05
E-mail: info@persmuseum.nl
Website: (in Dutch) http://www.persmuseum.nl
Ajax Football - Museum and ArenA
A must for every Ajax supporter or football fan. But the ArenA is for much more than just football.
A small museum at the entry to the E sector of its modern stadium - Amsterdam ArenA, where all the trophies are exhibited, as well as some memorabilia. A connection with the Ajax fan souvenir shop is obvious.
Ajax ArenA:
The home stadium of Ajax is impressive in its architecture. Like many modern stadiums, it has a retractable roof, which can be opened when it does not rain. After its construction in 1996, the 51 thousand seats stadium has not been very lucky for Ajax. Additionally there were serious problems with the natural grass pitch of the stadium – which had to be changed four times a year, as the grass did not grow well without wind. All these problems have been solved – huge fan ventilators create artificial wind and special grass seeds were developed, which grow better inside the stadium.
Ajax Museum:
Historical photos show an incredible career the club has made in the Netherlands and abroad, with Ajax winning 25 important international prizes and 29 Dutch championships. The museum features Ajax Hall of Fame, an impressive showcase with all cups and prizes, as well as the Ajax History Tour – a visual history of the club.
Open:
Ajax Museum is open in the high season: April 1 thru – September 30, Monday – Friday: 9.30 - 18.00; Saturday and Sunday: 10.00 - 17.00. Museum is closed on Sundays, when Ajax plays at home.
In winter, starting October 1 thru March 31, Monday thru Saturday: 10.00 - 17.00. On Sundays again only when Ajax does not play at home and additionally it has to be a shopping Sunday (Dutch: koopzondag – usually each last Sunday of the month plus Sundays before St. Nicholas day and Christmas).
"World of Ajax" - Tours:
Special guided tours are being organized to visit the ArenA. During the tour, you will be able to see the press room where press conferences take place before each match, visit the control room of the stadium, look at the pitch from the ArenA’s highest seat, observe the first Ajax team getting fit on the nearby training field. The visit usually ends with the visit of the museum.
World of Ajax Tours last 1 hr 45 min. and start every day at 11, 12.15, 13.30, 14.45 and 16.30
In July and August the tours are 7 times a day: at 11, 12.15, 12.45, 13.30, 14.45, 16.00 and 17.00.
There are different tours times in the off season period. |
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Museum and Store Location:
ArenA, Arena Boulevard 29, Amsterdam ZO. (Zood Oost=South East)
Ajax ArenA, E- entrance (entry).
Contact:
Ajax Museum
Postbus 12522
1100 AM Amsterdam - Zuidoost.
Phone:
Tel: +31 (0)203111444
Contact "ArenA World" Tours:
Tel: +31 (0)203111336
How to get there:
Car: From the ring A10 take A2 South direction Utrecht and soon exit at the Transferium. Park your car in the Transferium. Walk to the E entry of the ArenA. One ticket office serves both - Ajax Museum and ArenA World Tours.
Metro: Lines 50 and 54, from the Central Station take metro to the Amsterdam-Bijlmer-ArenA. Exit the station direction Arena Boulevard. Walk away from the station through the modern commercial centre. You will see the ArenA on your right, with the entry to the famous violent supporters F sector. Walk further, along the Perry Sport shop to see the E entry to the ArenA and the Ajax Museum.
Bus: Lines 29, 158, 174, 177, 178, exit on a stop Station Bijmer Arena, walk direction the metro station and later direction Arena Boulevard.
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ArenA Website: http://www.amsterdamarena.nl
Het Nationaal Brilmuseum – The National Museum of Spectacles, Amsterdam
In an old town house (dating from 1620), on a busy narrow streets in the very centre of Amsterdam, an interesting small museum is located that is focused on just one object, Spectacles. If you wear glasses or are interested in the history of fashion or possibly spectacles in particular, this is your opportunity. The collection is rich and vast, the old house is quite impressive and the Brilmuseum presentation truly remarkable.
This small museum is a result of the passion of the members of one family, which has passed on their collection through four generations. Mijke Theunissen’s Brilmuseum has been established by her father Jan Theunissen more than 35 years ago, but the obsession with spectacles was rooted in the long family tradition, which dates back to the 19 century.
The National Museum of Spectacles (Het Nationaal Brilmuseum) is located above an old fashioned optician’s shop, which feels itself like a museum. Two floors are full of interesting objects, exhibited in a way which works stimulating on visitor’s imagination. If you are into the history of fashion or 700 hundred years of history of spectacles in particular – you must see this small exhibit.
Open:
Wednesday - Friday 11.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. Saturday 11.30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission:
adults - € 4,50 (includes an interesting brochure in English and Dutch); children up to the age of 12 - € 2,25 (a copy of the museum’s poster is included in the price).
Museum located in an old house, which can not be adapted for the handicapped.
Address:
Gastuismolensteeg 7,
1016 AM Amsterdam
Phone:
Tel: +31 20 4212414
How to get there:
Walking - from Dam square: Take the street on the left from the Queens Palace walk behind the palace direction Anne Frank House; the museum will be on your left (5 minutes).
Tram: From the Central Station, lines 1, 2, 5, stop at Koningsplein.
Car: Try to find a metered parking place in one of the canal streets in the area or leave your car in car park of the Bijenkorf department store, at the Dam square. The entry to the five story garage is located behind the Bijenkorf, at Damrak corner of Beursstraat (487 parking places).
Website: http://www.brilmuseumamsterdam.nl
Vodka Museum
The newest of Amsterdam many museums, ... located on Damrak, almost in front of the Central Station. In the oldest building of Damrak (central tourist street of Amsterdam) you can receive a short guided tour through their 3-story museum!
The Vodka Museum features a small, professionally organized exhibit about the history of Russian Vodka. The timeline is completed with some unique, interesting vodka bottles, as well as hundreds of sorts of vodka from Russia and other countries, ironically completed by some old anti-alcohol drinking posters from the Soviet era. And while the times have changed, an elegant Museum Bar makes the vodka consumption possible directly on the spot, in the museum. Explore a collection of up to 500 various Vodkas and watch a Vodka Movie in the relaxing Vodka Museum Lounge! At the Vodka Museum Bar you can make your own movie and send it to your friends! But that’s not all! At the end of your tour you will receive a delicious Vodka Museum Gift!
After the tour you are welcome to stop by their Vodka Shop where they offer you an amazing selection of Vodkas.
Open: Daily From 9:00 to 22:00
Map: to Damrak 33
Phone:
Tel: 0031205286035
Fax: 00 31 205 289 825
E-mail: info@vodkamuseum.com
Ticket price:
Adults: € 7.50
Seniors 65+, students: €6
Children 5-15: € 4.
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Website: http://www.vodkamuseum.com
Torture Museum
This small and unpleasently dank, dusty and dark museum shows some of the most horrid inventions to torture and execute people. Complete with straps, spikes, weights and blades, these machines will make you thankful that you are living in more civilized time ..or are we? ...guess it is all relative.
First you enter a dark dusty corridor in a theater like atmosphere, several small and equally dark rooms follow. The Torture Museum endeavors to document the history of the human cruelty. The exhibition presents mainly enlargements of old prints, shown in light boxes. The quality of these images as well as the appearance of the condition of the relics ..basically the entire presentation is quite poor and badly maintained.
The exhibits information has been typed on small yellow and orange paper in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. The museum’s cramped spaces are been poorly lit, probably to hide the tacky walls. The result is that the real assets of the museum, several mediaeval torture instruments and one historic but neglected guillotine are hardly visible and remain hidden in the darkness.
We have been to several torture museums in The Netherlands and sadly this is not one of the better ones. Free would be a high price!
Opening hours:
Daily 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Admission:
Adults € 5,- ; Children € 2,50.
We advise all visitors to take their reading glasses if you have them and possibly a flash light. Not adapted for handicapped visitors.
How to get there:
The Torture Museum is located close to the Munt square (Muntplein), on the left bank of the Singel canal (5 minutes walk). You may also exit the Kalvertoren shopping mall at the back and turn right, or walk to the other side of the Singel from the Flower market.
Tram from the Central Station; lines 4, 9, 16, 24 and 25. Exit on the Munt plein stop.
Address:
Singel 449
1012 WP Amsterdam
Phone:
Tel: + 31 20 320 66 42
E-mail: info@torturemuseum.com
Website: http://www.torturemuseum.com
Civic Guards Gallery (Schuttersgalerij) (Shooters Gallery)
Enter the gallery from the popular shopping street Kalverstraat or from the quiet courtyard of Begijnhof. You will easily have the opportunity during your visit to the Amsterdam Historical Museum
Managed by the Historical Museum of Amsterdam, is a gallery of magnificent portraits of the wealthy citizens of Amsterdam The gallery is free and is easily accessible.
The exhibit is not very extensive, but leaves you with a lasting impression. Displayed in life size on large canvases are the wealthy citizens of the city who traditionally belonged to the Civic Guard. Many spent their free time on a shooting range practicing their musket shooting abilities. Usually this was simply a social occasion to meet, talk, do some business and drink lots of beer. (some things never change)
These portraits were commissioned each year to commemorate the work of the people represented on them. Each of the citizens had to pay for his presence on the painting. This was usually a very high fee, thus eliminated less important (less affluent) citizens from the portraits.
The Dutch greatest masters such as Hals and Rembrandt were always competing for these commissions. One witch many know well is Rembrandt's most famous “Night Watch” (now permanently at the Rijksmuseum) and which was in fact a group portrait of the Amsterdam musketeers, painted to adorn a wall of the city's biggest and most prestigious shooting range at De Doelen (English Targets). A must see for lovers of the Dutch masters!
Location:
Enter the Gallery from:
Kalverstraat 92,
Sint Luciensteeg 27
Begijnhof (from Grote Begijnhoefsteeg on the left).
Open:
Daily 10.00-17.00. Closed on January 1, April 30 and December 25.
Admission: Free
Diamond Museum (Diamant Museum)
A small and elegant museum organized by an important Amsterdam trader in these precious stones – Coster Diamonds. An interesting exhibit has been visualized by all modern multimedia means. Diamond Museum is conveniently located in a direct proximity of Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
This modern museum is located in an especially adapted for this purpose 19c. large villa, at the Paulus Potterstraat, just in a middle of a short walking distance between Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. Diamond Museum (Diamant Museum) has been created by Coster Diamonds, a large Amsterdam based diamond polishing and trading diamond firm which exists now for almost two centuries (since 1840) and which occupies also two other adjoining houses and organizes visiting tour of its factory.
Diamond Museum exhibit enlightens the visitor how the diamonds were geologically created, shows the history of human passion to diamonds, and explains how diamond became not only a symbol of wealth, but started to be associated with beauty and power.
Two big buttons of the wall give you the opportunity to choose an English of Dutch version of the film. For several other languages the museum will provide you with printed translations.
A visit to the museum starts off with a short film giving you the basics of the diamond and diamond industry, which takes you on a journey that began 3 billion years ago, 200 kilometres under the surface of the earth, and which ends in the ring on your finger or in the pendant around your neck. A fascinating story that should not be missed. After your journey in the museum you are more then welcome to have a drink in our coffee corner, or to have a look in the museum shop.
While filled with well made replicas of famous jewels, Diamond Museum lets you perceive all its subjects through modern multimedia means: the history of human knowledge about diamonds, all the worlds most important stones, a complete collection of historical crowns decorated with diamonds, history of diamond industry in Amsterdam, a unique influence diamonds had on fashion, glamour, entertainment industry and subsequently on our lives.
Historicaly Amsterdam has been one of the most important centers of diamond production and trade dating back to the 17th century. While Jews were chased from the catholic countries in the South of Europe, they were allowed to settle in Amsterdam and with the growth of Protestantism they were given opportunities to prosper. Although centuries ago Jews were not admitted to the guilds uniting craftsmen of one profession, diamond polishing has been one of the few professions left open to them.
The out-sourcing trend of the last few years has found the polishing of diamonds being largely transferred to Asia. Never-the-less, Amsterdam remains, along with Antwerp, London, New York and Johannesburg one of the most important cities for the diamond business.
Open:
9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. daily, including weekends
Tickets: Adults - € 6. : Older visitors (65+), Students, Children age 13 - 18 - € 4.
Children age 12 and younger - Free
Museum Card: Free
Address:
Diamant Museum Amsterdam
Paulus Potterstraat 8 =(The museum quarter)
1071 CZ Amsterdam
Telephone: +31 (0)20 30 55 300
How to get there:
Walking:
From the Rijksmuseum, standing with your back to the Museum and facing the Museumplein walk the street on your left directly along the square – 3 minutes. The museum is the 3rd house on the right.
Tram:
2 and 5;
Bus:
Busses: 145, 170 172 – Exit on a stop Hobemmastraat, take a right into the Paulus Potterstraat.
Car:
Exit the A10 ring on S107 and drive direction Centrum via Zeilstraat, Koninginneweg and then Willemsparksweg up to the end. Try to park your car in one of the streets near the Museumplein or use the underground car park under the square.
The entrance to the car park is located in front of the Concertgebouw. A separate tour-bus access to the same car park, is located directly in front of the Diamond Museum.. ..watch the busses disappear underground (where they belong)...a great change from the days, not so many years ago, of literally hundreds of busses jamming museumplein, Sometimes progress is actually an improvement!
Website: http://www.diamantmuseumamsterdam.nl
De Kattenkabinet - The Cat Cabinet A must for all cat lovers.
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This small museum located in the old patrician house at the Herengracht in Amsterdam, in an area of town where today the banks and top attorneys have their offices, is entirely devoted to cats. Founded in 1990 by William Meijer, a wealthy Dutchman who in this way wanted to preserve the memory of his cat Tom also called after the American financier of the past - John Pierpont Morgan.
The Cat Cabinet specializes in art representing cats. There is an aura of specific sense humor not only in the theme of this museum, but also in a way this museum has been presented to the visitor. Sculptures, paintings, posters and books about the felines are exhibited in a serious, professional way - almost too serious not to provoke a smile on a visitors face. The museum often collaborates with the institutions of reputations as Rijksmuseum, Museum Van Gogh, Kunsthal. If we add that The Cat Cabinet published some years ago a wonderful Kat-alogus (Cat-a-logue), which is today a collector’s item, you should feel the mood of this presentation.
An Historic Building
The house De Kattenkabinet is located in could be a museum on its own. It was built for William and Adrian van Loon in 1667, as one of the two identical houses standing opposite each other at Herengracht 497 and 498. A draw decided which of the houses belonged to which of the brothers, and it was William who got the house in which today is the museum.
Among the famous people who in the past stayed here were mayor of Amsterdam Jan Calkoen and American president John Adams. Throughout its rich history the house has been rebuilt several times and redecorated, finally to be brought back to its full splendor by its present owner. Although most of its rich interior furnishings are from the 19th century, it is still an interesting place to visit.
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Facing the two decorated canal houses on the Herengracht 496 and 497, it is difficult to imagine that these two buildings were once identical. Commissioned by William and Adrian van Loon, the houses were built in 1667. Although a lottery between the two brothers decided that William would live on Herengracht 497 and Adrian would reside on Herengracht 496, both historical buildings would remain with the family until 1725. In the years that followed, many influential and notable Dutch citizens would become tenants of the Herengracht. For instance, Jan Calkoen, mayor of Amsterdam, lived there for a short while and the American president John Adams would often visit Engelbert van Berckel there. |
Throughout time, the appearance of the 17th century building would not alter dramatically. However, in 1837, like many of the canal houses in Amsterdam, the service entrance would become the main entrance. When the family van Loon sold the building to the tradesman Pieter van Eeghen in 1885, the window frames were immediately changed to T-windows. Today, these minor adjustments to the building can still be admired. Until the "two-up- two down" was sold to the Foundation of the Herengracht, the canal house would remain with the family Eeghen till 1985. Its present owner restored the building to its former glory and it became home to The Kattenkabinet (Cat Cabinet).
| Stroll through the impressive decorated galleries on the first floor and admire the ball room with its crystal chandelier and its 18th century wall decorations, the music chamber with its striking ceiling-painting dating from 1870 and the "Mechelse" dining room from 1886 in its original state and finally the library.
Open:
Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m. – 2.p.m.(during the week The Cabinet closes early!); Saturday and Sunday 1 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Monday closed.
Closed: on December 24th until December 26th (Christmas), December 31st and January 1st (New Year).
Admission: Adults - € 5,-; children up to the age of 12: € 2,50; groups (eleven visitors or more): € 3,50 per person.
Museum has not been yet adapted for the handicapped. |
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How to get there:
Walking - from De Muntplein (5 minutes)
Tram - from the Central Station, lines 1, 2, 5, stop at Koningsplein, take left into the Herengracht, you will reach De Kattenkabinet after 3 minutes walk.
Car – try to find a metered parking place in one of the canal streets in the area or leave your car in the big car park under the Stopera - Muziektheater/Stadhuis, Waterlooplein 1 (10 minutes walk).
Address:
De Kattenkabinet
Herengracht 497
1017 BT Amsterdam
Phone:
Telephone: +31 20 6265378
Website: http://www.kattenkabinet.nl
Gemeentemuseum in The Hague - but well worth a visit!
The Gemeentemuseum Den Haag was built by architect H.P. Berlage in 1935. Visitors love the building itself, and the collections are so vast, that you can spend a whole day here.
Top Art Pieces in The Hague
The museum has the largest collection of works by Piet Mondriaan in the world. You can follow his artistic development, from his early, realistic works to his famous abstracts, with the Victory Boogie Woogie the absolute highlight. Paintings by the painters of the Hague School, by Picasso, Kandinsky, Van Gogh, Monet, Toorop, Willink and Karel Appel are also on display, as are Delftware, The Hague silver, a breathtaking dollhouse and seven period rooms. In addition to these permanent collections, the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague regularly presents many interesting exhibitions on visual art, applied art and fashion.
Diversity in The Hague Museum
The Gemeentemuseum in The Hague is one of the main museums for contemporary art and, with its 2,000 square meters of exhibition space, also one of the largest. The museum offers a lively and representative reflection of developments in national and international art, in very diverse exhibitions. Further works include videos and other installations, paintings and sculptures, multimedia, performance art, movies and photography, design, digital art and drawings. Solo exhibitions and group presentations of artists from The Hague, national and international artists alternate. The exhibitions are usually complemented by seminars, discussions and movies.
Piet
Mondriaan
(1872-1944)
Piet Mondriaan was born in Amersfoort in the
Netherlands, and is one of the brilliant pioneers
of abstract art. He decided at an early age
to become an artist and began a study at the
Royal Art Academy in Amsterdam in 1892. There
he mainly painted landscapes. After his study
Mondriaan experimented with light, color and
form. Domburg Period in Zeeland From 1908-1910
he lived in Zeeland and painted works portraying
the sea, dunes, trees and towers. Mondriaan
began to paint certain themes in a progressively
more abstract style. In 1911 Mondriaan moved
to Paris. New developments in art were being
born and he felt at home there amongst abstract
artists such as Picasso and Braque. During
World War II Mondriaan escaped to New York.
There he was inspired by the new jazz music
and modern art. However, he would never finish
his work Victory Boogie Woogie. In 1944 Mondriaan
was hospitalized with pneumonia and died within
a few days.
His
Incredible Style... 
The
works Mondriaan painted during his "pure abstraction" period
are world-renowned and have been reused and revisited
in designs and works of all types by artists for
decades. The pure abstraction artists believed
that painters, sculptors and architects must work
together to build a new world in people could live
in balance with the laws of the universe. The forms
that fit this philosophy had to be clear. Straight
lines and corners were used. The surfaces were
painted in the primary colors red, blue and yellow
and in the non-colors white, gray and black. All
unnecessary shapes and colors were abolished and
the works were limited to planes of basic colors
divided by absolute horizontal and vertical lines.
This universal vision, based on Mondriaan¹s
intuition and insight, gave rise to an orderly
and balanced beauty.
The
largest Mondriaan collection in the world can be
admired in the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague. The
artist's development from his early years in Amsterdam
to his final years in New York City is clear to
follow. "Victory Boogie Woogie", Mondriaan's
last painting, is now on display in this museum.
Gemeentemuseum
Den Haag Website: http://www.gemeentemuseum.nl/
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