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Permanent & temporary exhibitions from around the world, including many Japanese artifacts.
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Reviews — 8
One of, if not the best museum I have visited. It’s modest in size but thanks to its perfect layout you will never notice. We actually had to leave (after 3-3.5hours) due to their closing time without making it through all the rooms. In a few days we’ll definitely finish our tour!
Comprehensive floorplan, clear room divisions with each one containing a specific country or general area of the world, wide pathways, EXCELLENT (exhibition)pieces with informative written explanation that’s not too long and actually interesting. Lots of museums often fumble the ball on this aspect of the museum-experience somehow…
Some objects seem to be ‘missing’ - these empty spaces used to display artifacts obtained through colonial wars and oppression. The museum gave them back to the rightful owners and use (a few) vacant places to emphasize the importance of returning artifacts to their home countries and peoples.
LOTS of fun for kids as well with a numerous interactive ‘lessons’ on different animals, parts of the world and peoples. The educational activities and games are actually really fun to do - even for “older children” (29yo)
Comprehensive floorplan, clear room divisions with each one containing a specific country or general area of the world, wide pathways, EXCELLENT (exhibition)pieces with informative written explanation that’s not too long and actually interesting. Lots of museums often fumble the ball on this aspect of the museum-experience somehow…
Some objects seem to be ‘missing’ - these empty spaces used to display artifacts obtained through colonial wars and oppression. The museum gave them back to the rightful owners and use (a few) vacant places to emphasize the importance of returning artifacts to their home countries and peoples.
LOTS of fun for kids as well with a numerous interactive ‘lessons’ on different animals, parts of the world and peoples. The educational activities and games are actually really fun to do - even for “older children” (29yo)
I often recommend this museum to people visiting Leiden. It has an impressive collection, professionally exhibited, and often special exhibits. The permanent exhibit is perhaps most impressive when it comes to the Indonesian region. There was a wonderful special exhibit on the Aztecs last year, which showed an amazing array of archaelogical exhibits and an in-depth portrayal of the culture as a whole. It was very impressive and aesthetically put together. The museum is always worth checking out, and if there is a special exhibit, all the more so.
A fascinating collection of cultural artefacts from all over the world. Immerse yourself in this beautifully presented exhibition and you can spend half a day admiring the incredible variety of cultures and traditions past and present. The museum does not shy away from the negative impacts of colonialism on indigenous cultures and populations. Highly recommended
Known as the Museum Volkenkunde located in Leiden, this museum is dedicated collections of ethnographic around the world, showcasing cultural artifacts, arts from different societies.
What a wonderful museum! We spend quite a few hours in the different rooms that bring you all around the world with items from every continent. I really enjoyed my stay there and found it absolutely not to be missed on my list.
The staff at the entrance was also very kind and welcoming when explaining the different areas. If you are visiting Leiden I wholeheartedly recommend it!
The staff at the entrance was also very kind and welcoming when explaining the different areas. If you are visiting Leiden I wholeheartedly recommend it!
I absolutely love this place. It has so many interesting pieces from different cultures. There are also two areas for the kids to learn and play. The cafe offers delicious pastries. Definitely a must see if visiting Leiden.
I spent >4 hours here and still missed a wing (the native American wing of all things...I
wanted to see some Tlingit art). If you're as into Asian art as I am, you could easily spend a whole day here. Very impressive collection for a very reasonable price (at least compared to some of the art museums I visited or attempted to visit in Amsterdam a day or two prior). The Indonesian collection is especially extensive (though perhaps that shouldn't be surprising given their history with the Dutch). The quality and quantity of works from Southeast Asia made me realize my history knowledge is severely lacking in that part of the world.
One word of caution: if the signage makes you think you're going to see Japanese woodblock prints, well, no, they have almost none of those. Most of their Japanese collection is comprised of daily use items like netsuke, woven bamboo works, inlaid furniture, etc. IMHO, the Korean section of the room was more informative despite occupying less space, but that might've been because I already knew quite a bit about Japan. Still worth seeing.
wanted to see some Tlingit art). If you're as into Asian art as I am, you could easily spend a whole day here. Very impressive collection for a very reasonable price (at least compared to some of the art museums I visited or attempted to visit in Amsterdam a day or two prior). The Indonesian collection is especially extensive (though perhaps that shouldn't be surprising given their history with the Dutch). The quality and quantity of works from Southeast Asia made me realize my history knowledge is severely lacking in that part of the world.
One word of caution: if the signage makes you think you're going to see Japanese woodblock prints, well, no, they have almost none of those. Most of their Japanese collection is comprised of daily use items like netsuke, woven bamboo works, inlaid furniture, etc. IMHO, the Korean section of the room was more informative despite occupying less space, but that might've been because I already knew quite a bit about Japan. Still worth seeing.
