Holland’s National Museum Week
Lucy Chambers April 11, 2016
Lucy Chambers April 11, 2016
Amsterdam is a city with incredible stories to tell, having been an important city in both world and European trade, history and politics for centuries, as well as having a cultural heritage which is the envy of many.
It’s no surprise, then, that the city is home to over 50 museums which seek to tell these stories. Whether you’re interested in paintings from the Dutch Masters, the gruesome tales of the city’s dungeon, or famous events from history, there is something for you to discover in Amsterdam.
What’s more, Holland’s National Museum Weekend has now become Museum Week, stretching from 16-24 April and taking in some of the most important and famous museums in the city!
What better place to start with a run-down of museums in Amsterdam than with the Amsterdam Museum? Telling the story of the city through a mixture of art, history and more, it’s a journey through time, taking in stories from all the natives; young and old, rich and poor.
One of the city’s most famous past residents is Rembrandt, the painter from the Dutch Golden Age who is considered among the best in history. Visit the Rembrandt House Museum for a glimpse into his life and times in Amsterdam. Rembrandt himself lived in the house from 1639 to 1656, and it contains a number of etchings and paintings of his contemporaries.
Another of Amsterdam’s famous artists is Van Gogh, whose paintings are on display at the Van Gogh Museum, which also tells the tragic story of his life. The Van Gogh Museum is one of the most popular museums in the world, housing over 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 700 personal letters. The museum opened in 1973, making it one of the more modern art museums in Amsterdam, and since then has constantly grown and improved. There are workshops and events which occur regularly at the museum, including DJs and live music on Friday nights.
Perhaps the most ornate and grand of the Amsterdam museums is the Rijksmuseum, which is an architectural wonder to behold in its own right, but is also home to some of Holland’s greatest artworks. Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” is here to be seen in all of its glory, as well as pieces by Vermeer and Frans Hals, plus archaeological discoveries, art from the Far East and more. In essence, the Rijksmuseum tells the story of almost a thousand years of Dutch history, with constantly updating exhibitions helping keep the museum relevant to the modern age.
Micropia is probably the smallest zoo in the world. Dedicated to the invisible micro-organisms which make up the world around us, Micropia aims to show just how beautiful these microscopic cultures can be. Petri-dishes with gorgeous natural designs from the cultures which are growing in them are available to be examined up close with powerful microscopes, while the scanner shows you what you have growing on you. At times fascinating and slightly creepy, the museum is certainly a one-off.
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