Bijbels Museum (Biblical Museum)
A fascinating expedition through the world of one the oldest and most-read books.Archaeological discoveries, artefacts from ancient Egypt, centuries-old models of the temple of Solomon and Herod, religious objects from the Judeo-Christian tradition and even aromas bring Bible stories to life for visitors to the Biblical Museum.
The museum is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands and dates back to 1851, when rev. Leendert Schouten put his now world famous model of the Tabernacle - a wonderful reconstruction of the sacred shrine housing the Ark of the Covenant, which the Israelites carried with them during their exile in the desert under the leadership of Moses - on public display.
Displays centred on a model of the Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharîf in Jerusalem (by Conrad Schick, Jerusalem, 1879) explain the significance of this sacred place in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
A large-scale maquette from 1879 of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem
Clay tablets, fragments of papyrus and archaeological remains tell the fascinating story of the Bible's origin. About 1,000 bibles are on display, including rare examples.
the Cromhout houses
The Biblical Museum is housed in two stately buildings on the Herengracht, designed by the 17th-century renowned architect Philips Vingboons and commissioned by the Amsterdam merchant Jacob Cromhout in 1662.The buildings still contain the original kitchens. Of special note is the elliptical English grand staircase running from the marble hall to the building's several floors. Two of the rooms have have ceiling paintings that were executed by Jacob de Wit and date from 1718 and 1750. The large garden, with pond, biblical plants and sculptures, is an oasis of rest.
The Amsterdam Biblical Museum is located in the Cromhout houses at the Herengracht
How to get there?
By tram: 1, 2 or 5 stop Spui.By car: nearest car park Europarking
the Cromhout houses
Herengracht 366-368 (Grachtengordel)
| Opening hours | |||
| Sun | 11:00 | - | 17:00 |
| Mon | 10:00 | - | 17:00 |
| Tue | 10:00 | - | 17:00 |
| Wed | 10:00 | - | 17:00 |
| Thu | 10:00 | - | 17:00 |
| Fri | 10:00 | - | 17:00 |
| Sat | 10:00 | - | 17:00 |
Price
€7.50 (adults)
€3.75 (13-17 years)
€4.50 (students)
free (0-12 years)
the building's elliptical English grand staircase
official website
Bijbels Museum