Go surprise yourself

7 museums where you can expect the unexpected

Thought you'd seen it all... think again! Below is an overview of museums you might not have visited before.

Naar beneden scrollen
Bezoekers op Solder
Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder
Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder, Amsterdam

Have you already discovered the hidden attic church in Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder? This church was built during a time when Amsterdam was governed by a Protestant city council. It was forbidden to practice the Catholic faith in public. Catholics sought alternatives and celebrated their mass in concealed house churches, like this one.

More information
Anatomisch Theater
Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, Leiden

The governors of Leiden University were concerned. Student numbers didn't meet expectations. The university needed to become more attractive. So in 1590, the university acquired an academic botanical garden, a new university library, and a very modern facility: an anatomical theater.

More information
Katakomben
Museum Romeinse Katakomben
Museum Romeinse Katakomben, Valkenburg a/d Geul

Descend to the graves of ordinary Roman citizens and to the magnificent burial chambers of prominent Romans. Discover during the guided tour a labyrinth full of perfectly replicated catacombs from ancient Rome. Beautiful frescoes, statues, and the fascinating story told by a guide.

More information
De gelukkige olifant
Gelukkige Olifant
Nederlands Tegelmuseum, Otterlo

This Happy Elephant adorned the facade of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard's holiday residence in Porto Ercole for more than 50 years. This showpiece can be seen in the exhibition The Happy Elephant of the Oranges, where you'll also find other magnificent ceramics by Judith Laqueur-Révész.

More information
Drie tinnen figuren op een rijtje met witte achtergrond
Nationaal Tinnen Figuren Museum
Nationaal Tinnen Figuren Museum, Ommen

These figures were part of a surprising comedy! They depict characters from the Commedia Dell'Arte: professional theater. It's improvisation theater from Italy that was especially popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. There were no fixed rules and no written text, only the main content was established.

More information
Paradijsvogel
Vogels van God
Missiemuseum Steyl, Steyl

Born and captured deep in the rainforest, birds of paradise began their journey from small coastal towns of New Guinea. They became trade goods and fashion items, making an indelible impression on the world. This exhibition tells the story of 'the journey of the bird of paradise' from three different perspectives: indigenous, colonial, and missionary.

More information
Streekmuseum Goeree-Overflakkee
Streekmuseum Goeree-Overflakkee, Sommelsdijk

Experience the disaster of 1953 as if you were there yourself. Through Virtual Reality, you'll experience how islanders have learned to live with and survive water. Water as a friend, but also as an enemy.

More information