Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum, which in English means – The State Museum, exists for more that two hundred years and today belongs to the most breathtaking museums in the world. During its existence, the museum went through many transformations and remains now, especially after its complete renovation, the attraction you should not miss during your trip to the Netherlands. 

History of the Rijksmuseum
It is in 1800, that The Rijksmuseum opened first its collection to the public as the Nationale Kunstgallerij (National Art Gallery). Since then, it moved several times before being established in Amsterdam (1808) by the decree of the King of the Netherlands Louis Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon. Named then the Royal Museum, received in 1815 from the Dutch King Willem I its present name. In 1885 Rijksmuseum moved to its beautiful building, designed by the Dutch architect Petrus J.H. Cuypers. It has been built in the then fashionable Dutch neo-Renaissance style, using historical neo-Gothic elements in it form and decoration. 

The collection
The unique position Rijksmuseum gained in the world throughout the centuries, comes not only from the possession of many masterpiece paintings of Dutch and world art. Along the masterworks like Rembrandt’s “Night watch”, several paintings by Vermeer, van Dyck and Jan Steen, the museum has truly exceptional collection of the antique objects of the material Dutch culture, vast collection of prints, drawings and the classic photography.  

The reconstruction of the Rijksmuseum
The immense collection of the Rijksmuseum outgrew its 19th C. building and since december of 2003, the Rijksmuseum iwas reconstructed. The completely new, modern exhibit has been built. The Museum reopened after 10 years of renovation in April of 2013.

Open:
Every day from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
The museum ticket office closes at 4:30 P.M.
Closed: 1 January

It is allowed to take photographs and to film in the museum as long as you do not use flash, lights or tripod. 

Tickets
Admission adults: € 15,00; visitors aged 18 and under: free, holders of ING Bank Card and EYCA Card: € 7,50.

No discounts for students or senior visitors. Amsterdam Holland Pass holders (with the Tulip Ticket), Museumkaart holders, Rijksmuseum Schoolkaart holders, members of ICOM, ICOMOS, UNESCO, Vereniging Rembrandt, KOG, Vrienden van de Aziatische Kunst, Vrienden van het Rijksmuseum: free  

You may purchase the tickets to the Rijksmuseum online via the Rijksmuseum website. The advantage is that you will have the direct entry to the museum.
  
How to get there
Public transport:
- By tram (from Central Station) - lines 2 or 5 (exit on stop Hobbemastraat); from elsewhere in the city - tram 6, 7 or 10 (stop Spiegelgracht).
- By bus: 145, 170, 172 (stop Hobbemastraat). Please note that the bus stop Museumplein is located far from the city museums.
By car: leave the city ring A10 on exit S108 (Amstelveen) and drive direction Centrum via Amstelveenseweg and De Lairessestraat. Turn left on the crossing at the Concertgebouw and try to park your car in the underground Q-park car park, under the Museumplein. The entrance to the car park is located directly in front of the Concertgebouw, at the Albert Heijn supermarket entry. You have to drive through the sidewalk to enter it.
A separate access for touring buses to the same car park, is located nearby the Philips Wings, on the left side of the Museumplein at the Paulus Potterstraat. 

Address:
Rijksmuseum
Museumstraat 1
1071 XX Amsterdam
Telephone: 0900 0745; telephone from abroad: +31 20 6621 440

Rijksmuseum Schiphol Airport
There is a small Rijksmuseum exhibit of usually eight to ten original paintings in the terminal of Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, open after Passport control to the public. Exhibits are held under different changing themes. Free admission.
Open: 7 A.M. – 8 P.M. 

Rijksmuseum Research Library
Museumstraat 1
1071 XX Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum Research Library has two rooms: Reading Room and Print Room.The Reading Room is open daily from 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.
The Print Room is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. 

Postal address:
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Postbus 74888
1070 DN Amsterdam 
Website: www.rijksmuseum.nl