Visit Van Loon Museum is one of Amsterdam's most beautiful hidden gems.
Let me take you on a virtual tour that is sure to entice you to visit.
Van Loon Museum: article summary
Van Loon Museum: in brief
Boasting a privileged location on Keizersgracht, this private canal-side residence was designed by architect Adriaan Dortsman in 1672. The architect is best known for his work on the Walenweeshuis, a former orphanage and now French consulate, as well as for the distinctive Round Lutheran Church.
The house features four sculptures representing Ceres, Mars, Minerva and Vulcan. They symbolize agriculture, war, justice and fire, which the original owner saw as sources of his wealth.
The history of the Van Loon Museum
The Van Loon Museum was part of a pair of adjacent townhouses commissioned by Jeremias van Raey, a Flemish merchant who lived in one of the houses. He rented the present-day Van Loon Museum to 17th-century painter Ferdinand Bol, who was one of Rembrandt's pupils.
There was a recent exhibition dedicated to the artist in the museum shed until January 8, 2018. The artist was one of the best-known painters of the Dutch Golden Age, and 25 paintings from private collections and international museums are on display.
These are not just his own works, as he and his second wife Anna were collectors of paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt and Van Ruisdael. It's nice to think that the works are to be found back to their original location.
What can you find inside the museum?
The interiors and staircase were renovated by the Van Hagen family, who lived here in the late 18th century. Today, the Van Loon Museum is an excellent snapshot of the family's past. what a private home in Amsterdam would have looked like.
The basement kitchen, where staff prepared meals for the family living here, boasts a sparkling array of copper pans and cooking equipment.
Rooms feature stucco work and colorful silk wall hangings. Keep an eye on the room doors during your visit.
The real doors were painted to blend in with the colors of the walls, and fake doors were created in their place to ensure design symmetry.
Visit the Van Loon garden and coach house
The Van Loon Museum is unique in that it is the only museum in the Netherlands where the original canal house, coach house and garden can be visited as a whole. The garden has a classic design and is a charming haven of peace, with benches for relaxing.
At the end of the garden, you'll see the coach house, also designed by Adriaan Dortsman. When the house was built, cars passed through the Kerkstraat.
After the Van Loon family acquired the house, they built up a large collection of cars. These can be seen when the shed does not host exhibitions.
What's it like to visit the Van Loon Museum?
The Van Loon Museum is one of the many attractions you can visit free of charge with the I Amsterdam City Card.
This handy city pass also offers a range of discounts on bike and boat hire, as well as in restaurants and bars. City Cards have variable duration from 24 hours to 96 hours. You can order them online and have them delivered to your home or picked up at the airport. station.
What are the opening hours of the Van Loon Museum?
The Van Loon Museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. It closes on April 27 (Kings Day), December 25 and January 1, and will close at 3 p.m. on December 24.
How much does it cost to get in?
If you do not have the I Amsterdam City Card, you must pay :
- 9 € for adults
- 7 € for students or groups of 10 people or more
- 5 € for children aged 6 to 18
Admission is free for children under six.
There are a €1 surcharge on all adult tickets for exceptional exhibitions in the shed.
The Van Loon Museum is an interesting place to visit if you're passionate about architecture. You can discover a traditional house that has remained the same for many years. Here you can feel like you're living in the last century.
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