Once a convent then an orphanage, this musuem highlights the city’s development. If you’re into history there are some interesting paintings and art works. The focus is on the Golden Age of Amsterdam. A recent special exhibition covered the history of women in the home. This musuem is perhaps one of the least popular, so you won’t have to wait in line.

Address: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 359
1012 RM Amsterdam
Phone: 020-523-1822

Visit here for an eerie sensation of what it was like for the Frank Family to hide in an attic during World War II. The original furnishings were destroyed by the Nazis, but the place is haunted by the ghosts of Anne and her family. Excellent, but small display of historical information. If you haven’t read the “Diary of Anne Frank,” get a copy here, available in many languages.

This is a serious museum charting 8,000 years of history with excellent displays and exhibits, including some live plants. Small admission price is worth it, especially to rid yourself of American brainwashing.

Opened as a museum in 1987, this four building complex is comprised of four synagogues built by Ashkenazi Jews during the 1600’s and 1700’s. The museum is filled with displays of the long history of Jews in Holland.

The master of Dutch painting lived here from 1639 to 1660, teaching lessons in the attic, living on the ground floors with his wife and son. The displays of his art here are well worth the visit and include self-portraits, nude studies and religious scenes and some landscapes.

The Stedelijk Musuem was originally built in 1890 to house a collection of art given to the city by Sophia de Bruyn. In 1938 it was turned into the National Museum of Modern Art and has exhibits by such masters as Picasso, Mondriaan, Cezanne, Monet and Matisse. Exhibits are also displayed of new art including sculptures, paintings, prints, drawings, video, photography, etc.

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The world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings, drawings and over 900 letters Vincent wrote during his lifetime are housed in this modern building opened in 1973. An extensive addition to the museum was completed the summer of 1999. Other exhibits are shown as well, usually dealing with his contemporaries’ artwork.

A great day trip from Amsterdam especially on a sunny day, is the Kroller-Muller Museum. Possibly the best museum in Holland, it has a splendid setting. It’s located inside the Nationaal Park de Hoge Veluwe, a nature preserve an hours drive from Amsterdam. Since cars are banned from the park, you must either take a bus to the museum or you can ride one of the many free bikes available, or have a pleasant walk. The park is graced with miles and miles of wonderful bike paths, foot paths and horse trails.

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The largest collection of Dutch art through history is found here on the Museumplein. Opened in 1885, it is Neo-Gothic in style and filled with riches. Nowhere else can you find such a display of the Dutch masters including Rembrandt’s most famous work, Night Watch. Such a vast collection of art takes more than a day to explore. MAP

If you like ships and boats this museum is a must. So much of Holland’s history and glory happened thanks to overseas commerce. See the ships that carried the spices and riches of the orient to Europe for five hundred years. This museum contains the largest collection of boats in the world! The musuem’s layout is arragned chronologically and the boats, models, ancient maps and navagational aids are wonderful.

Location:
Kattenburgerplein 1
1018 KK Amsterdam
Phone: 020 523-2222
Fax: 020 523-2213

Hours:
Tuesday thru Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday and Holidays 12 am – 5 pm
In the summer it’s also open on Monday from 10am – 5pm.

Museum Website