Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Museum Willet-
Holthuysen
Like the Museum Van
Loon, the Willet-
Holthuysen affords a
rare glimpse inside a
grand canal house -
and into the lives of
the wealthy
merchants who lived
there. Built in 1685,
the interior is
decorated in 18th-
century style. A mild
sense of melancholy pervades
the building
(see p107)
.
Museum Het Rembrandthuis
treasures are weapons, paintings
and meticulously accurate
models
(see p123)
. The museum
will be closed for renovation
from late 2005 until 2007.
Nederlands Scheepvaart
Museum
Holding the largest collection of
boats in the world, and crammed
with fascinating objects, the
Nederlands Scheepvaart became
a museum in 1973, when the
Dutch Navy vacated the building.
Solid and four-square, Daniel
Stalpaert's imposing classical-
style arsenal was built for the
Admiralty in 1656 during the
Golden Age of Dutch maritime
history. Among the museum's
Museum Het
Rembrandthuis
Completely restored to look as it
did in Rembrandt's day, this
handsome red-shuttered house
was the artist's home during his
years of prosperity (1639-58).
Entering the rooms is a little like
stepping into a painting: they are
typical Dutch interiors with black-
and-white tiled floors, traditional
box beds, and paint-
ings by Rembrandt's
contemporaries.
Perhaps the two most
fascinating sights
here are the
recreation of his
studio, and the room
- in a new wing -
devoted to his
magical etchings,
many of which show
his compassion for
the common people:
quacksalver, pancake
woman, beggars,
street musicians. A
video about the
recent restoration
work is shown in the
basement
(see p77)
.
6
4
Nieuwe
Zijde
9
BEURS
PLEIN
1 km
DAM
Jordaan
Oude
Zijde
3
Negen
Straatjes
BEGIJNHOF
0
MR VISSER
PLEIN
AMS T
8
LEIDSE
PLEIN
Spiegel-
kwartier
7
1
2
5
A D
500
yards
0
metres
500
41
