Visit the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam: tickets, prices, schedules

Staying in Amsterdam? Visit the Jewish Historical Museum and dive into the history of this persecuted people through the centuries.

The Jewish Historical Museum tells the story of the Jews who have come to Holland since the 16th century. During your visit, you will discover the only museum in the Netherlands exclusively dedicated to Jewish religion and culture. The hotel is located in the centre of the former Jewish quarter in Amsterdam, and more specifically in the old Great Synagogue of the city.

Visit the Jewish Historical Museum and explore the traditions of this community in the Netherlands after being persecuted throughout Europe.

History of Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam

Opened since February 24, 1932, the Jewish Historical Museum takes you through the centuries to present the history of this oppressed people.

Very open to the world, Holland has always been a host country for immigrant populations. From the 16th century, Spain and Portugal led a campaign of domination of the Catholic religion. The Jews are then forced to leave these two countries so as not to hide. At the same time, the Thirty Years War opposes the Iberian provinces in the Netherlands. It is therefore quite naturally that Jews settle on these welcoming lands where they can practice their religion freely and especially without oppression.

The rights of Jews in the Netherlands are increasingly recognized from the 17th century. For example, a synagogue was built in 1612. This is the first in Holland. Jews are also officially recognized as subjects from 1657. Progressively, the Jews find the traditions they had forgotten during the repression.

Thanks to a policy of openness in terms of religion, most European Jews come to settle in the Netherlands. It is also in Amsterdam that the largest Jewish community gathered throughout Europe in the 18th century.

The Second World War has particularly affected Jews in Holland. Indeed, the country was occupied from May 1940. The Jewish Historical Museum closed its doors until 1955. At that time, more than 100,000 Jews were murdered and less than 40,000 managed to escape the Nazis. The Dutch do not lead active resistance to the German occupation. On the other hand, many of them help the Jews to hide.

Today, many Jewish synagogues and artistic works have been destroyed. The Jewish Historical Museum thus brings together the remains of Judaic culture.

What to see and do at the Jewish Historical Museum?

Visiting the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam is discovering more than 13,000 works of art on the history and religion of this community.

The Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Historical Museum is located in the heart of the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam. You can thus discover the Portuguese which is one of the most beautiful in the world, but also Azkhenaze synagogues on the religion of Jewish communities coming from Eastern Europe.

In addition, the museum is located close to Hollandsche Schouwburg . This is the Dutch theatre where an exhibition is devoted to the persecution of the Jewish people during the Second World War.

Permanent exhibitions

The Jewish Historical Museum has more than 13,000 works of art to make you discover the religion and culture of Judaism in the Netherlands. This represents thousands of objects, paintings, books, photos and videos that trace the history of the Jews.

Permanent exhibitions of course deal with religion and Jewish tradition but also the links of Judaism with Israel, the persecution of Jews during the Second World War. You will also discover personal stories lived by the Jews through different eras to understand the mix between Jewish and Dutch cultures.

The exhibition for children

Within the Jewish Historical Museum, an exhibition was specially designed for children. It is a question of explaining the Jewish tradition and history to the youngest so that they are made aware of it. It’s a fun course where several activities are proposed. Thus, children can make azyme bread, write in Hebrew or play musical instruments. It is a unique way to introduce the smallest to a culture that has marked history.

Temporary exhibition

When you come to visit the Jewish Historical Museum, enjoy it to discover temporary exhibitions. These present the work of several Jewish artists. In recent years, the museum has exhibited the works of Andy Warhol, Jozef Israel Charlotte Salomon or Sem Presser.

The temporary exhibitions of the Jewish Historical Museum are also an opportunity to understand Jewish history through cultural surveys that are presented.

How to go to the Jewish Historical Museum?

The museum is located in the Jewish Quarter in Amsterdam, and more precisely in Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1. Several means of transport are possible to visit the Jewish Historical Museum.

• Metro : By taking lines 51, 53 and 54, you can go down to the Waterlooplein stop and go to the museum.
• Tramway : Trams 9 and 14 also stop at the Waterlooplein stop.
• Car : To visit the Jewish Historical Museum, it is also possible to park his vehicle at P Het Muziektheater parking.
• Vélo And finally, do as most Dutchmen and go directly to the museum by bicycle.

Timetables and rates of the Jewish Historical Museum

HORARI

The Jewish Historical Museum is open daily between 11am and 5pm . On 27 April, 21 September, 22 September and 30 September, the museum is closed.

RATES

• Adults : 15€
• 12 to 18 years : 7,50€
• Under 12 years : free

You now know how to visit the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam!