Amsterdam is a city full of museums, and you can easily see that from our posts. There’s the Museum of the Bible, Museum Willet-Holthuysen, Friesland Museum, Maritime Museum, Rembrandt House, Tattoo Museum, Cat Museum, Kröller-Müller Museum, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and even the Museum of Sex, among others.
In short, there are all kinds of museums here—big ones, small ones, famous ones, quirky ones, and maybe even some unnecessary ones. Among them, the Hermitage Amsterdam stands out. It’s an offshoot of the famous Hermitage in St. Petersburg and has an interesting history. Built in a strict neo-classical style in 1681, it served as a retirement home for the elderly until 2007. Initially, it housed only ladies but about a century later, it opened its doors to gentlemen as well.
Eventually, the city government declared the building unsuitable for its original purpose, so when it was vacated, they debated its future use. In the end, the Hermitage decided to use it as an exhibition space after extensive renovations. It opened in June 2009 with a ceremony attended by Queen Beatrix and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Today, it’s the fourth most visited museum in the Netherlands.
Currently, and until February 28, 2014, the Hermitage is focusing on three major French artists from the late 19th and early 20th centuries: Gauguin, Bonnard, and Denis. Known as Les Nabis, these artists marked a turning point in art following Impressionism. They explored new artistic paths, emphasizing color, emotion, symbolism, and imagination.
The Hermitage Amsterdam is open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with an entrance fee of 15 Euros. It is located at Amstel 51, near the central station of Amsterdam.