Rijksmuseum

The largest and most popular museum in the Netherlands, the Rijksmuseum was first opened as the Nationale Konstgallerij (National Art Gallery) in 1800 in Huis ten Bosch in The Hague. It moved to Amsterdam in 1808 under the orders of Louis Napoleon, King of Holland, first to the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) in Dam Square, and then to the Trippenhuis, a mansion on Kloveniersburgwal, in 1817. The collection was moved to its present building, a mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles, designed by the Dutch architect Cuypers, in 1885. A new wing was added between 1906-1909 and 1913-1916 to house the growing number of 19th-century paintings. Today, the museum houses an impressive collection of 15th- to 19th-century paintings, including work by the Dutch masters Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Jan Steen and Vermeer, and a fine collection of sculpture, furniture and historical items from the Low Countries. Highlights include the museum’s most famous piece, Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, painted in 1642, and The Kitchen Maid by Vermeer, dating from 1658. The Print Room is also worth visiting and regularly exhibits famous prints, drawings and photos, whilst the Asiatic Art rooms contain an impressive collection of Oriental objets d’arts.
An immense Neo-Gothic building housing some of the most famous and amazing art and artifacts in the world. When it opened, its design came under fire by ardent Calvinists who thought it was too ornate, and that the architect went beyond what be promised in the proposal approved by the city. It turns out, they were correct. Cuypers visited the construction site personally and secretly put details back in that he had removed in order to get his plan approved. No doubt, the Calvinists would look down their nose at the gold leaf that adorns this palace of history. But one hundred years later, Amsterdam accepts the building as one of its finest landmarks. Where to enter depends on what you want to see. If you’re into Dutch history, use the left entrance. For great painters, use the right entrance. Whatever you do, don’t try to see the whole collection in one day. This museum is Big—over 150 rooms. Doing a marathon tour will only give you blisters.