The Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands, home to a staggering collection of artworks and artefacts, which reflects more than 800-years of Dutch heritage and global history, from the medieval era to present day. It is located at the Museum Square in the Amsterdam South borough, close to the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum.

Amsterdam’s museum building itself is a triumph of Dutch architecture, a majestic blend of Gothic and the Renaissance styles, and the only museum in the world that you can cycle through. The Rijksmuseum’s beautiful sculpture-studded gardens also hosts temporary exhibitions of sculptural greats, such as Miró and Alexander Calder.

The museum’s vast collection include masterpieces by Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Johannes Vermeer and many others. It include, ‘The Milkmaid’ by Vermeer and some of Van Gogh’s paintings. Rembrandt’s painting, ‘The Night Watch’ takes pride of place in a beautifully lit hall.

The expansive collection also includes: sculptures, archaeological artifacts, delftware, ceramics, clothing, Asian art, prints, collection of 17th century dolls’ houses, and items from Dutch maritime history. It is also home to Cuypers Library, the biggest and oldest art history library in the Netherlands.