Why visit / Interesting facts:
- World famous national museum
- Great collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age
- Rembrandt's Night Watch on display
Time required: 90 minutes
Phone: +31 20 674 70 00
Web site: http://www.rijksmuseum.n...
Opening hours:
| Time period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Daily: | 9am - 6pm |
Admission:
| Ticket type | Charge |
|---|---|
| General: | 12.5 € |
| Under 18: | Free |
Public transport:
- Tram Line 2: Hobbemastraat stop
- Tram Line 5: Hobbemastraat stop
Address: Jan Luijkenstraat 1, Amsterdam
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: Sue Elias
Things you need to know:
- Rijksmuseum is a national museum dedicated to arts, crafts, and history
- The collection contains some seven million art pieces
- It has an extensive collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age (17th c.) and a substantial collection of Asian art
- Rembrandts, Vermeers, Frans Hals and Jan Steens hang on the walls, including Night Watch and The Kitchen Maid
- King Louis Napoleon established the museum in 1808
- Its first home was in the Royal Palace on the Dam; its current monumental home was built in 1885 in neo-Renaissance style
- The protestant king and public first much disliked the building and mocked it "Cathedral" as it bares many Catholic elements thanks to Cuypers, its Catholic architect
What to do there:
- Pick up a free plan or take an audio guide
- Admire the masterpieces on display (the layout makes it easy to do a self-guided tour)
- Pay attention to the impressive interior of the building
- Do not miss the major works: The Milkmaid, The Jewish Bride, and Night Watch
Tips & Insights:
- Up until 2013, the Rijksmuseum will be renovated but most parts are still open to the public (the museum is still worth a visit in spite of the ongoing works)
- Audio guide is available for 5 €
- Two audio guide options are available: a general overview and a more specific painting-centered one describing the works in detail
