Now in its second half-century as a public museum, the Museum van Loon is an opulent canal-side mansion with an illustrious history. Erected in the late 17th century, its first inhabitant was Rembrandt's most acclaimed pupil, Ferdinand Bol. By 1884, the mansion had come into the possession of the Van Loons, a veritable Amsterdam dynasty, whose family members have included a co-founder of the Dutch East India Company, a mayor of Amsterdam, and other notables.
The Van Loons still own the canal house to this day, much of whose splendidly preserved interior is now open to the public, and definitely worth a visit for a taste of old-time Dutch nobility.
What's to See at Museum van Loon:
Like other Dutch canal house museums, the Museum van Loon is a time capsule, yet one with artifacts from across the centuries: the owners both preserved the 17th-century decorative arts in the mansion -- left over from the time of Bol -- and accumulated new fashions from each subsequent century. The ornate period furniture, precious silver and porcelain, and other interior details are all perfectly authentic for their time. The palatial residence is also studded with portraits of the noble family as reminders of their personal history.
In addition, the museum has also made a name for itself in the contemporary art world; since 1996, it has hosted contemporary exhibitions in its quarters, often in collaboration with other local institutes of contemporary art. See the Museum van Loon web site for current and future exhibits.
Museum van Loon Visitor Information:
Museum van Loon Location
Keizersgracht 672
Opening Times
- Open Mon. and Wed.-Sun., 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; closed Tues.
Admission Fees
- Adults: € 7
- Children 6-18 and students: € 6.00
- Children under 6: Free
- "I amsterdam" card holders: Free
Get There
- By tram - Line 4, 6, 24 or 25 to "Keizersgracht".
More Information
Call +31 (0)20 624 5255 or visit the Museum van Loon web site.
