Rijksmuseum van Oudheden

Rijksmuseum van Oudheden

Visitors to Leiden, a renowned city in the Dutch province of South Holland, should not miss one of the Netherlands' most important museums—the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden. Opened in 1818, the museum originated from collections at Leiden University and still maintains close collaboration with its Department of Archaeology. Over the course of nearly two centuries, the museum has amassed an impressive collection of antiquities, primarily from ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, Etruria, ancient Rome, the Roman Empire, and the Middle Ages.

The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden refers to itself as the "national center of archaeology." It houses an archaeological research center, whose staff regularly conduct further excavations in Egypt. The first must-see artifact is the magnificent Egyptian Temple of Taffeh, dating back to the 1st century AD. This temple was a gift from Egypt to the museum and is considered its crown jewel. Located in the central hall of the museum, the temple can be viewed by many visitors free of charge, serving as a gift to guests. Visitors can walk inside this small temple and see Greek inscriptions and Christian crosses carved within.

The museum also houses well-preserved Greek and Roman sculptures, along with decorated Greek pottery. On the top floor, visitors can explore the archaeological history of the Netherlands from prehistoric times to the early Middle Ages.

Dutch National Museum of Antiquities

Reason to visit: The Netherlands’ most renowned museum of antiquities

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: Netherlands[Netherlands]

Province/State: South Holland [South Holland]

City: Leiden [Leiden]