In this article, I present the Musée de la Marine in Amsterdamto relive 500 years of maritime history.
Here you'll find
- A presentation of the Musée de la Marine in Amsterdam
- What you can see and do at the museum
- How to get there
- Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
- What you can see in the area
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Amsterdam's Marine Museum, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Musée de la Marine Amsterdam : article summary
Amsterdam's Musée de la Marine: a fascinating immersive experience
The history of the Netherlands is made up of from maritime conquests and naval trade and Dutch navigators were the most important in the world, during what came to be known as the The Golden Age.
To discover 500 years of maritime historyTo understand the powerful links between the sea and the development of today's society, there's only one place to go: the Musée de la Marine in Amsterdam.
Presentation of the Amsterdam Marine Museum
For history buffs who like to know more about the country they're visiting, a stay in Amsterdam will be the perfect opportunity to discover the links between the Netherlands and the sea through a visit to this naval museum.
It is housed at Amsterdam Arsenal (Zeemagazijn), built in 1656, which served as a warehouse, construction zone and compulsory crossing point for goods and warships.
A closer look reveals a striking similarity with certain buildings in Venice, due to the presence of canals and a inner courtyard. Not so surprising, given that Amsterdam and Venice fought it out for supremacy of the seas for several centuries.
The national navy was created by Napoleon after his arrival in the Kingdom in 1795 and the Zeemagazijn will remain main warehouse until the late 70s. In 1973, it opened its doors as the Musée de la Marine, allowing visitors from all over the world to discover objects and works of art of all kinds - cannon, paintings, sculptures, firearms, tapestries, models, etc. - and complete ships! - and complete ships!
It's a Amsterdam museum not to be missed, whether you're a sailing enthusiast or not!
Facts and anecdotes
- Its foundations are based on 2,300 pillars who have supported it for 350 years
- The impressive glass roof over the courtyard is made up of 000 kg metal and 40,000 kg of glass!
- It's a visit that combines perfectly with the This is Hollanda flight simulator that lets you discover the country's geography and history!
- It was closed for 4 years (between 2007 and 2011) for renovation, to welcome more visitors
What can you see and do at the Marine Museum in Amsterdam?
This museum, very playfulcan be visited by young and old alike, thanks to its well-thought-out educational aspect. In fact, between the exhibition halls, a visit to a real ship and experiments in Visual RealityThere's never a dull moment!
Here's what you don't want to miss during your visit!
The Republic of the Seas exhibition
The perfect way to start your visit, this exhibition is dedicated to the Dutch Golden Age and presents some fifty treasures.
You'll come across models, tapestries, paintings of naval battles, a wide selection of weapons and numerous navigation instruments from the era, making for a highly instructive visit.
The VR experience to discover the Port of Amsterdam
For something different, you can take part in a striking VR experience! A journey back in time, to discover the life and evolution of the Port of Amsterdam.
While the late Jacques Brel's description of the port in his song of the same name is already very eloquent, never before has such a level of detail and immersion been achieved.
It lasts about 15 intense minutesand it's included with your admission ticket! This experience also takes place in the replica of the Amsterdama Dutch East India Company merchant ship grounded in the south of Great Britain in 1749.
The tapestry exhibition
Visit tapestry collection The museum allows visitors to relive some of the greatest naval battles - such as the Strait of Gibraltar or the opening naval battle of the 3rd World War.e Anglo-Dutch war - in an atypical way.
The level of detail offered is impressive, and it's easy to immerse oneself in the turmoil of the time thanks to this goldsmith's work.
La Barque Royale
This royal bark is intended for use by monarchs only and was commissioned by King William 1.er.
Its sumptuous decoration and size recall the grandeur of the country in its heyday. And the boat is always functionalIt was last used in 1962 for the silver wedding of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard.
Humans at Sea exhibition
While the sea is synonymous with conquest and great discoveries, this photographic exhibition reminds us that all this is often associated with human tragedy: slavery, migration, displacement of populations, and so on. A must-see!
How do I get to the Musée de la Marine?
The Musée de la Marine is located at the following address: Kattenburgerplein 1, 1018 KK Amsterdam
It's in downtown and you can access it easily via :
- By bike5 minutes from Central Station
- Less than 20 minutes on foot from Central Station
- By car/taxi
Musée de la Marine Amsterdam: prices, opening hours and practical information
Here's everything you need to know before visiting Amsterdam's Marine Museum!
Rates and booking
- Adult ticket: 17.50 euros
- Children's ticket (4 to 17 years): 8.50 euros
- Free for children under 4
By booking online, you can choose the date and time of your visit. This avoids major queues, especially for the VR experience.
You'll receive your tickets instantly on your mobile devices, so all you have to do is present them at the ticket office.
Opening hours
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
Count on about 2 hours visit.
Practical information
When you book your ticket online, you'll have a free audio guide that lets you get carried away by the story and anecdotes, without having to read the whole thing!
What to see and do in the area?
There are many interesting activities in the vicinity of the Musée de la Marine. Here are a few suggestions:
- Visit NEMO Museumfeaturing the science with innovative experiments and exhibitions
- You'll make it to the ARTIS Amsterdam Zoo10-minute walk
- Follow with a visit to the unmissable Quartier Rouge !
What to do in Amsterdam in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
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