Bijbels Museum (Bible Museum), Amsterdam
The historic facade of the Bible Museum in Amsterdam (Bible Museum)
and angels in the museum's stairwell at Christmastime (Jim Forest).
Model of Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Photo: Scott.
Interactive satellite map of the Bible Museum. For a larger view,
see our Amsterdam Map or Google Earth download.
At the Bible Museum (Bijbels Museum) in Amsterdam, visitors can explore biblical history and geography in a variety of objects, images, and installations.
The museum is also worth visiting for its historical interest, as it provides the rare opportunity to tour a 17th-century canal house. The museum is actually in twin patrician canal houses from 1662, designed by noted architect Philips Vingboons for timber merchant Jacob Cromhout.
Most of the museum's decor dates from later periods than the building. There are elegant stucco decoration and reliefs, and a dizzying elliptical grand staircase. Two ground-floor rooms have magnificent painted ceilings from 1718 and 1750 by Jacob de Wit that depict the four seasons, scenes from ancient mythology, Greco-Roman gods and goddesses, and the signs of the zodiac. You get fine views of the lovely courtyard garden from some upper-floor windows, and as a bonus you can take a stroll through the garden, which has a pond and sculptures.
The museum collection features a superb suite of models presenting historical and religious scenes. These include a fascinating wood, fabric, and gold leaf model from 1849-65 of the Tabernacle, a tent in the desert containing the Jewish Holy of Holies, inside of which was the Ark of the Covenant holding the Ten Commandments given by God to Abraham.
There is also a model from 1725 of the Temple of Solomon; a model from 1879 of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem with the Dome of the Rock, explaining the significance of this sacred place in Judaism, Christianity and Islam; a model from 1880 of Jerusalem in the 1st century AD; a model from 1889 of the Temple of Herod; and paintings of biblical scenes.
The museum also displays archaeological finds from Israel, Palestine, and Egypt, including clay tablets and fragments of papyrus, that tell the story of how the Bible came into existence and the influence it has had on Dutch society through the ages.
Among the Bibles on display are the first Bible printed in the Low Countries, dating from 1477, and the first edition of the authorized Dutch translation, from 1637.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Bible Museum; Bijbels Museum |
| Type of site: | Museum of religious interest |
| Address: | Herengracht 366-368 |
| Location: | Near Spui |
| Phone: | 020/624-2436 |
| Website: | http://www.bijbelsmuseum.nl/english.aspx |
| Tram: | 1, 2, or 5 to Spui |
| Hours: | Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun and holidays 11-5pm. Closed Jan 1, Apr 30 |
| Cost: | Admission 6€ ($1.50) adults, 3€ ($3.75) children 13-17, children under 13 free |
