The Royal Museum of the Netherlands is also called the Rijksmuseum — a palatial building, ornately designed with facades, intricate interiors, and a stunning glass roof to house some of the world’s most priceless collection of exotic art and historical artifacts dating from the Dutch Golden Age. It is incredibly popular as it attracts millions of visitors every year and is Amsterdam’s one of the must-visit destinations.
The highlight of the museum is its extensive collection of paintings by yesteryear maestros like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. It also includes items such as sculptures, furniture, historical objects, and decorative pieces as were used back in 17th century Amsterdam.
Founded in 1885, at the edge of the 19th century, the architecture and design of the museum are impressive in themselves and tell a lot about Dutch history and art. It is perhaps the only museum in the world that has a road running through it — it is vast and expansive. The building was designed by Dutch artist Pierre Cuypers.
Interestingly, the museum was established in The Hague by Napoleon Bonaparte who was the ruler of the Netherlands in the 1800s. The Hague was then the capital city of the Netherlands. The museum was then called the National Art Gallery which was originally intended to showcase the art collection of the historical Dutch leaders. The museum was later shifted to Amsterdam and the building, as it looks now, was constructed at the fag end of the 19th century. The museum was built to house the growing collection of valuable art and artifacts that it acquired over the years.
One of the most famous works of art at the Rijksmuseum is Rembrandt’s ‘Night Watch’ which depicts a group of Dutch soldiers. This huge place houses close to one million objects that will take you a few days to complete your tour. Medieval art objects are displayed on the ground floor. 18th and 19th-century art is on the first floor — Van Gogh’s collection and other works by Dutch Impressionists. One of the other highlights of the museum is the oldest aircraft in the Netherlands preserved in its authentic condition.
The most striking exhibits are kept on the second floor — art from the 17th century Dutchland called the Golden Age. This is where you will find paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals, and other famous Dutch painters from that time.
The Great Hall is the most amazing feature of the museum which has ancient Dutch art and paintings embedded on its walls. It is a beautiful gallery that presents a great overview of the art and history of the Dutchland. The stained glass window in one of its corners has paintings of famous writers, architects, and painters.
The 17th century Netherlands was flourishing in trade and commerce and its society was growing, becoming wealthy. Many of the portraits and paintings inside the museum are about regular themes taken from the life of the middle class, the natural landscapes, the cityscape, the surroundings where they built their residences, their lifestyle and food habits, et al. One of the most treasured pieces of the museum is the 17th-century realistic painting of a table laden with expensive food.
What are Some of the Highlights
The following are some of the most outstanding features of one of the largest and most famous museums of the world — the Rijksmuseum, or the Royal Museum of Amsterdam.
Masterpieces by Dutch Artists: The museum houses an extensive and priceless collection of works by virtuosos like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer, Frans Hals, and others. Some of the famous works include ‘The Night Watch’, ‘The Milkmaid’, and ‘The Laughing Cavalier.’
The Building’s Architecture: The building is a perfect example of Neo-Gothic architecture and is a work of art in itself. It was designed by the Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers in the 19th century. It has stunning installations like the grand entrance hall, spacious galleries, and beautiful stained glass windows.
Asian Art: The Royal Museum is not all about Dutch artwork. It also celebrates the work of Asian artists from China, Japan, India, and Indonesia. The collection includes ceramics, textiles, sculptures, paintings, and drawings.
Interactive Exhibits: The Gallery of Honor features a multimedia tour that provides background information on the artworks on display. It is an interactive exhibit that allows visitors to explore the art and the history of the Netherlands in a fun and engaging way.
Temporary Exhibitions: Many temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year that showcase works from the museum’s own collection and those that traveled from around the world.
Info on Timings and Tickets
The Royal Museum, or the Rijksmuseum (as it is popularly called), is open to the public every single day of the year, including holidays, but with varying admission timings. You must check their website for altered timings on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and King’s Day. The regular timings at the Rijksmuseum are from 9 am to 5 pm.
It is best to reserve your tickets in advance by purchasing them online to avoid long queues at the venue on the day of the visit. You can avail of many ticket options like standard admission, audio guide rental, and combination ticket with access to temporary exhibitions.
Ticket prices vary depending on age and whether you are a resident of the EU. Please take a look at the current ticket prices (at the time of writing) of the museum — Adult (18+): 20 euros; Child (Under 18): Free admission (must carry valid ID); European Union Resident (18+): 10 euros; Student (18+): 10 euros; and Museumkaart holder: Free admission.
Please note that they may levy extra charges for special events and exhibitions at the venue, but they offer discounted rates to groups of 15 or more.
Phone, Address and How to Reach
Depending on your location and preferences, you can reach the Museum by various modes. The Rijksmuseum is centrally located and can be reached from anywhere in the city with practical ease. The address is: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands. For queries or feedback, you can call +31 (0) 20 6747 000 or write to info@rijksmuseum.nl.
As for connectivity, the Rijksmuseum is located in the Museumplein area which is well-connected by public transport. You can take tram line numbers 2,5,12, or 24 to get off at the Rijksmuseum. You can also take bus numbers 347, 357, or 397 to get off at the Museumplein stop.
Amsterdam is a bike-friendly city and there are numerous bike rental shops around. You can rent one and cycle to the museum (a healthy option too). There is no dearth of parking facilities around the museum; there’s underground bicycle parking at the museum. If you are taking your car, you can find plenty of parking beneath the Museumplein area.
