MUSEUM VAN LOON

shoshannah06 mins

A stunning example of a grand canal home, Museum Van Loon is a step back in time to see how the very wealthy lived.

Head to the heart of Amsterdam on the Keizersgracht and enter another world. In 1602 Willem van Loon co-founded the VOC, also known as the Dutch East India Company. His great grandson became mayor of Amsterdam. The family still lives in the top floors of the building but have generously opened up the lower levels to visitors.

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The home is the epitome of Golden Age Amsterdam with beautiful paintings, lovely furnishings and luxurious textiles throughout. Don’t miss De Schaapjeskamer, I want that bed covering for my own bed! Be sure to check out the kitchen downstairs too for a Downton Abbey feeling.

The house was originally built in 1672 by the architect Adriaen Dortsman and was the residence of painter Ferdinand Bol, a student of Rembrandt. (perhaps you have been to Ferdinand Bolstraat in de Pijp or have heard of FEBO, named after the same street?) The Van Loon family purchased the property in 1884.

Walk through the beautiful gardens on a spring or summer day. If you are lucky, you’ll arrive at a good time to smell the fragrant roses planted in the geometric formal garden. Take a look at the stone sundial from 1578 and see if you can determine how it works! You can visit the gardens during Open Tuinen Dagen too.

Canal house museums are some of our favorites in Amsterdam. If you like Museum Van Loon also check out Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis, Huis Marseille, Bijbels Museum and Cromhouthuis, Rembrandthuis and Ons Lieve Heer Op Solder.

Beyond the garden you will find the Koetshuis. This is where the family kept their carriages and horses, and a few carriages and livery items are on display. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the lifestyle of those days. And did you know that the Kerkstraat was constructed with the purpose of offering a back entrance to the coachhouses for the grand homes on the Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht? So interesting! Forty-five old coach houses can still be seen here. Take a walk around here and stop into some of my favorite spots for a bite or drink like Lavinia Good Food, Sweet Cup Coffee and Los Pilones.

This is definitely one of my favorite museums in Amsterdam, be sure to check it out!

TOP TIP: If you plan to visit more than three or four museums within the year, we recommend the Museumkaart for locals. The price of €59 is worth it as entrance to each museum is around €15-20 for adults. If you are visiting Amsterdam take a look at the iAmsterdam card which gives you free transport around the city as well as free entry to many museums and attractions in Amsterdam and beyond. Check here for more information and to purchase the iAmsterdam card online. Another option is the Holland Pass which grants free and discounted access to several museums and attractions. Check here for more information on the Holland Pass.

Museum Van Loon
Keizersgracht 672, Amsterdam

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