Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Location: In Museumplein, in Amsterdam
Attraction type: An Art Museum
Significance: Art museum displaying collection from Golden Age
Best Time to visit: All through the year
Visiting hours: 9 am to 6 pm; On Fridays 9:00 am to 8:30 pm
Nearest International Airport: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is the place to be in for discovering the most outstanding Dutch paintings belonging to the Golden Age. It not only preserves art masterpieces but also prints, and photographs. Thematic display of the collections makes the visit a truly entertaining and inspiring one. Masterpieces by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Vermeer glorify Amsterdam Rijksmuseum.

This Amsterdam Museum, established in 1800 in The Hague, was shifted to Amsterdam in 1808 by orders from Louis Bonaparte. The present building, in which the museum is housed in, itself is an architectural splendor designed by Pierre Cuypers. Construction of this building in Gothic and Renaissance styles began in 1876 and opened to public in 1885 on 13th July. Both the outside and inside carry representations of the history of art in Holland. These sculptures were designed by J.F. Vermeylen and B. Van Hove, while the stained glass windows were designed by W.F. Dixon. Artist G. Sturm designed the tile tableaus. Thereafter in 1890, a wing was added, built from pieces of demolished buildings which represented Dutch history of architecture. The Hall of Night Watch was constructed in 1906. Subsequently, large scale expansion and renovation took place in phases from 1960 to 2000.

The artworks are arranged as per the themes of 'Acquisitions', 'Masterpieces', 'Mythology and Religion', 'People and Society', 'Art and Artists', 'Guest selections', and 'Exhibitions'. In the 'Exhibition' section the collections are arranged in different galleries like 'The Royal Menagerie', 'The Golden Ages', 'Rovers Chinese Cabinet', 'Images of History', and 'A Royal Museum'.

In Rijksmuseum you would get the gracious opportunity of viewing Rembrandt's 'The Jewish Bride', 'The Night Watch', 'Saskia with a Veil', 'Peter Denying Christ', 'The Stonebridge', and 'Tobias, Anna and the Goat'. You cannot afford to miss Johannes Vermeer's 'The Love Letter', 'The Milkmaid', 'The Little Street', and 'Woman in Blue Reading a Letter'. Make a careful study of Frans Hals' 'the Jolly Drinker', 'Portrait of a Young Couple', 'Portrait of a Man', and 'The Company of Reynier Real'.

Staying in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, being the capital of Holland, has an abundance of hotels to choose from for your staying. Some of the noteworthy hotels in Amsterdam are Die Port van Cleve, Golden Tulip Amsterdam Vinkeveen, Park Plaza Victoria Hotel Amsterdam, The Grand Amsterdam Sofitel Demuere, and Crowne Plaza.