It is located in the entrance hall of the Museum and does not require a ticket to visit. The National Museum of Antiquities is housed in a large and equally as picturesque building. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. A side gallery also features an entire collection to its famous mummies and mummy cases which is truly breathtaking as the coffins are displayed in a way that not only shows the exquisite decoration on the outside but the inside decoration as well. The National Museum of Antiquities sits alongside the Rapenburg canal, the most well-known and arguably one of the most scenic canal streets in Leiden. A second expedition by Humbert never reached Tunisia because Humbert preferred staying in Italy. (The rest of the museum does.). Midaq alley: Does Mahfouzs Exploration of Identity Loss Still Hold True Today? Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. You can even hire it for weddings and conferences! The first galleries presents several rows of ancient Egyptian artifacts highlighting the history and evolution of the country. The appeal was successful and objects from all over the world kept flowing in. It was put on public display but poorly cared for until half a century later when it would finally get an official curator. 8 minute walk from Iwaya Station on the Hanshin line, 10 minute walk from the South exit of Nada Station on the JR Kobe line, 20 minute walk from the West exit of Oji-koen Station on the Hankyu line. If you are dissatisfied with the website or any content or materials on it, your sole exclusive remedy is to discontinue your use of the website. Some of these include objects found from historical German graves and swords from Denmark. The museum is well aware of ethical concerns when exhibiting the deceased, as such, the objects are displayed in a shrine-like construction out of direct sight and relatively close o the rear wall of the room in order to encourage a respectful exhibition and distance to the human remains. Despite the gathering of antiquities from various Dutch organizations, the really important additions to the museum would come from buying personal collections. So without further ado, let us start with 5 reasons why you should not delay your visit to The National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. The Egyptian collection has been one of the worlds top ten collections for years. Some museums in the world with mummy collections remove the cloth wrapped around the mummies for research, but J.C. Reuvens, the founding director of the National Museum of Antiquities, in Leiden, the Netherlands, foresaw future technological advances and preserved the mummies without altering them. With both the first and the second Rottiers collections, the origins would remain shady. So, what makes these so special? Over 1,400 objects from the world-renowned Egyptian collection of the National Museum of Antiquities are on display in the permanent exhibition Egypt, reads the museums official website. Even for Egyptian royalty, the afterlife was bring-your-own-beef. 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Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. The current collection of the museum is divided in the following categories: In the central hall of the museum stands an original Egyptian temple, the Temple of Taffeh, which was taken apart in Egypt and reconstructed in the museum. . The civilizations unique outlook on life and death, its religious values, and array of stelae, coffins, sculptures, and other excavated artifacts, continue to allure us to this day. Reuvens was enthusiastic about the collection because it contained original Greek sculpture and Greek pottery, categories which lacked in the Leiden collection until then. That may be just one object one time, or a complete collection another time. Before the relocation could begin however, the academic world was shocked by the unexpected death of the still young Reuvens. Theres actually a whole section dedicated for children, so they can draw historic statues and learn about them. By this time there was a complete Game of Thrones episode unfolding in my mind. Bean Projection Art show which was funded by BankGiro Lotterij which is accompanied by a story and music. They belonged to a collection that had been excavated a decade before in Italy and belonged to Lucien Bonaparte. []. In 1820, this collection was offered to the government of the Low Countries and Reuvens was sent to determine its value and recommend on whether to buy or not. It is heartwarming to see that the temple, given to the Netherlands for its assistance at the flood, is used smartly, owing to the interests of the digital age of 2019, and is highlighted in a very special way. New objects enrich the museums collections on a regular basis. Among the first of these was the first Rottiers Collection. They lacked all the stuff you need for fighting so theyre ceremonial swords, but how the heck did they end up all throughout Europe then more than 3500 years ago? The Temple of Debod went to Spain; the Temple of Ellesyia was moved to Italy; the Temple of Dendur was installed at the Met in New York; and the Temple of Taffeh, well, it went to Leiden. A familiar face at DutchRevew. Tokyo Art Beat (2004-2022). The bequest comprised about 150 antiquities and was published in 1746 by a professor of the university. One of these mummies is a mummified crocodile and you can actually use the interactive screens next to it to dissect the wrappings, so you can see whats underneath. Living in Leiden: 5 things to do when you move to Leiden DutchReview, 3 Reasons why you must attend the Night of Discoveries in Leiden in 2018 DutchReview, Leiden; city of knowledge! They tell the story of the temple, of the museums aim and the contribution of ancient archeology to humankind. In the afternoon, a row of carefully arranged seats are placed in front of the facade of the temple. This exhibition features over 200 items, including mummies and burial items, owned by the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, the Netherlands, which boasts one of the worlds largest Egyptian collections along with the British Museum and the Louvre Museum. A collection of Etruscan artifacts, known as the Museo Corazzi, was bought for over 30.000 guilders but pleased Reuvens because Etruscan antiquities were virtually unknown outside Italy at the time. Check out our museum pics here. Ill let you answer that. These are found in two different locations in the museum and features amazing talent and dedication. A beautiful little museum hidden away in the heart of Barcelona holds a treasure trove of Ancient Egyptian artifacts. Have your ever been to the National Museum of Antiquities? The whole temple stands tall in the main entrance hall and its incredibly impressive. One thing that makes this museum great, is that it has something for everyone. Reuvens quickly added other collections from both within and outside Leiden to the university's antiquities. The museum itself actually holds an extensive Egyptian section (with another stunning Egyptian grave tomb! Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Despite this blatant disregard of the agreements, the expedition did produce some considerable results. Rottiers was not the only agent working for the Dutch government procuring antiquities however. The temple was actually a gift from the Egyptian authorities. Well, this is a good start, isnt it? Main image courtesy of the Rijkmuseum Van Oudhedens official Facebook page. She holds two Bachelors (Egyptology and Journalism) from the American University in Cairo (2011). Here you will learn all about them! The website may provide links to other websites on the Internet, the content of which is not in our control. Audio tours are available at the front desk for a small fee, that you can use as you wander through the museum, which is available in Dutch and English. Publications would continue and the next period in the history of the museum is described as "a period of consolidation after the restless pioneer years".[6]. From 1824 to 1826, Rottiers made a journey through the Mediterranean, paid for by the ministry. Furthermore, most of the mummies in the collection have been stored in good condition, completely wrapped in their original cloth bandages. Reuvens wrote a largely negative report. ), and actually has one of the top 5 Egyptian sections outside of Egypt. Copyright All Rights Reserved. It will show you the past 2 centuries of the museums history, in an easy to follow timeline, which shows you some never-shown-before objects and artefacts. While Rottiers was working in the eastern Mediterranean, Jean Emile Humbert was collecting and excavating in Tunisia. You get a sense that if it was in Amsterdam, then it would be one of the main ticketed attractions and would take hours to get into. In 1821, the archaeological cabinet was moved to a new wing of the Museum of Natural History. 2022 Atlas Obscura. During these travels Rottiers complained a lot, and for a while failed to produce any real results. 2019 Egyptian Streets. If you have children, then there are also things for them to do too. After this excavation Rottiers continued his travels and bought antiquities. Yes, this is the same temple that we mentioned earlier with the light show. If youre interested in learning all about Rembrandt and the ancient Greek hero Odysseus, then this fantastic performance will entertain both young and old. While it is particularly rare to have more than 10 coffins on exhibit at once, this exhibition offers the valuable opportunity to see 5 sets of coffins and 2 mummy covers at once in three-dimensional displays. The museums total collection consists of over 80,000 objects from different areas. Her interests include history, comparative archaeology, gender, religion, minority rights, science fiction, and the environment. These became part of the Leiden collection in 1844. This baroque wonder is filled with a trove of artistic treasures. The impressive building has been around for more than a century and it has recently been exquisitely renovated to bring you a modern museum experience. After a lengthy period of negotiations by the Dutch ambassador in Rome and Humbert with agents of d'Anastasy the collection was eventually sold for roughly 115.000 guilders. The collection continued growing however and the room granted to it was obviously insufficient. It is also known for its ongoing excavations and research in Egypt for over 60 years, and has worked on numerous international research projects using science and technology. Winner will be selected at random on 09/01/2022. Incredible statues will be on loan from places such as the Muse du Louvre and the British Museum. Reuvens was unhappy with this location as well though, because it was much too small for the growing collection and because the windows provided far from enough light. Because have youreallybeen to Leiden if you havent been to the National Museum of Antiquities? The museums archaeological collection consists of four areas: ancient Egypt, the Near East, the classical world and early Netherlands. It begins with this temple. 2019 All Rights Reserved. The Etruscan collection was published by a colleague. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. So coming across a complete Egyptian structure inside can be an unexpected experience. The museum is housed in a monumental building along one of the most famous canals of Leiden: the Rapenburg. Dutch Affinity for Antiquities: The Egyptian Collection at Leidens Rijksmuseum. DutchReview visited The National Museum of Antiquities in the lovely Leiden this month and it is honestly one of the most underrated museums in the Netherlands. . The museum prides itself in having one of the five biggest Egyptian collections in Europe both in quantity and quality, along with the British Museum, the Louvre Museum, the Egyptian Museum of Berlin, and the Museo Egizio in Turin. So it can be a day out for the whole family. The temple was a gift from Egypt to the Dutch people in gratitude for the Netherlands role in a UNESCO rescue operation in the 1960s. #rijksmuseumvanoudheden #egyptiantemple #fromwhereistand #museumday #city_explore #loveholland #loveleiden #netherlands_captured #adventurethatislife #dutchies, A post shared by DutchReview (@dutchreview) on Jun 17, 2018 at 3:12am PDT, [] There is also so much to do in your free time. This is basically a drawing studio, where children can draw ancient statues (Ill go onto this in a minute). The whole exhibition is mapped out like a timeline and as you stroll through the exhibition you are met with signs telling you what occurred in that year, along with stories and different artifacts (over 600 of them!). Those acquisitions come into the museums possession in various ways: a targeted purchase of a collection or part thereof may be made via the art market, or via the inheritances, legacies and gifts by private collectors. The National Museum of Antiquities holds the oldest historical monument in the whole of the Netherlands: a complete 2,000-year-old Egyptian temple. It really is a must-see. In 1822, Rottiers sold a second collection, of smaller importance, to the government. Finding an adequate building for the archaeological collection had been a matter of ongoing strife between Reuvens, the trustees of the museum and the Dutch government. In March and September 1826, the museum received the acquired antiquities. As you can see, there are many different reasons why this museum is underrated. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for omissions and errors. Once visitors are over the slight surprise of seeing an ancient building within a modern museum, they can see the temple up close and view little details that speak to the structures age and fascinating history, such as Roman writing on the walls, as well as a drawing of a cow and a Christian cross. However, in both cases it would turn out that perhaps all of the collection was bought. Before you go, have you checked out our event listing for The Young Rembrandt Festival? The museum is working alongside Torinos Egyptian museum to bring you over 500 objects that will be shown to the public. This exhibition introduces various aspects of ancient Egyptian civilization through the museums treasured Egyptian collection, ranging from the history of how Europeans rediscovered Egypt and began excavations, to the Egyptian peoples lifestyle, outlook on life and death, and aesthetic sense at the time. Egypt, Land of Discoveries: From The National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, The Netherlands. Lastly, the Egyptian collection is crowned with a gallery focuses on the museums very own excavations at Saqqara. The whole temple lights up with different images projected onto it, including music and colourful light beams. By far the most important deal of the expedition was the acquisition of the very large d'Anastasy Collection of Egyptian antiquities. The collection of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden began with an inheritance in 1743. Reuvens died in 1835, after suffering what seems to be a severe stroke by the reports. Mental healthcare is more important than ever in the Netherlands, with more people coming forward to talk about their struggles with their own mental You might've noticed how flat the Netherlands is and for that, you'd be very right! However, the crowning feature of all was the temple of Taphis (Taffeh) from Nubia, at the entrance inside the museum. The damp atmosphere caused serious damage to the sculptures, however, and the collection had already outgrown its housing which resulted in several statues being placed outside. This temporary jubilee exhibition shows how The National Museum of Antiquities has evolved over the past 200 years. All content on this site is its respective owner(s). The National Museum of Antiquities is located in Leiden and was founded in 1818 by King William I. This light show is shown every day (11:30, 13:30 English, and 15:30). There is also a collection of mummy cases.. So come and check it out. In 1826, a collection of prehistorical materials arrived from the Museum of Natural History. Its really clever and incredibly interesting. The collections themselves were mainly accumulated during the nineteenth century, but the number of objects is still on the rise. This journey was Rottiers' own idea, and the purpose of it was to buy antiquities. You do not have to pay for it either, the entrance hall is free to enter. Its the perfect place to go if you happen to be around Leiden and need someone new to explore. Media related to Rijksmuseum van Oudheden at Wikimedia Commons, Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}520930N 42909E / 52.15833N 4.48583E / 52.15833; 4.48583, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rijksmuseum_van_Oudheden&oldid=1094750713, Archaeological museums in the Netherlands, Museums of ancient Greece in the Netherlands, Museums of ancient Rome in the Netherlands, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 24 June 2022, at 09:12. It belonged to a retired Flemish colonel who had begun collecting during a stay in Athens. Reuvens plans for this new building would prove much too expensive unfortunately. From the outside, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (Royal Museum of Antiquities) in Leiden, Netherlands, has a subdued, distinctly European look. When Reuvens was first appointed professor of archaeology, and thereby curator of the Papenbroek collection, the antiquities were housed in a building of the botanical gardens of the university. This new light show is projected on the 2,000-year-old Egyptian temple, found in the entrance hall to the museum. The highlights naturally include the museums fascinating mummies and their colourful cases. In 1824, Reuvens was offered some more room of the Museum of Natural History, but Reuvens refused the insufficient extra space and proposed an entirely new building designed especially for the National Museum of Antiquities, which would also give him a lecture hall, restoration facilities and other required rooms. The rebellion and seceding of Belgium in 1830 were costly matters for the king, and little to no room was found for adventurous expeditions or excavations. Moreover, the attractive mummy room features panels explaining human and animal mummification techniques as well as their religious significance. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This exhibition is dedicated to historical objects of ancient Europe. After his death, Reuvens' work was taken over by his student, Conradus Leemans, who had excavated with Reuvens and was present at his death. Some pieces from the Thoms Collection were among the favorites of the director of the Amsterdam museum. Archaeologists from the museum conduct excavations and research every year in Egypt (Saqqara) and Syria (Tell Sabi Abyad) to gain information about the historical context of the Egyptian collection and collection from the Near East. This light show is only 4 minutes long, yet tells you all about the museums history, including the history of the temple, and about when it first arrived in Leiden. Among the fascinating items displayed are beautifully decorated jewelry, the double statue of Maya and Merit, the reliefs of General Horemheb (who lead Tutankhamuns gallery) and various yet ornate items pertaining to daily life. The fascination with ancient Egypt is as ancient as its monuments and for years, museums have competed to become the most elaborate hosts of artifacts, although this has sparked criticism from locals and experts alike. In a dark and cool yet superbly light room, a variety of Egyptian artifacts are displayed. The words, the shapes which range from two Roman soldiers fighting to wedjat eyes clad in gold, are touching. The bright, airy space lets natural light highlight the restored temple. This means that they are all in their original wrappings and have never been unwrapped (for instances such as obtaining jewellery). The growth of the National Museum of Antiquities would prove to be depended much more upon foreign investments. Open on a public holiday Monday but closed on the following day. This public library and its impressive collection of academic books have not changed since the 17th century. It was agreed that these would not be moved to Leiden until after his directorship. In both cases it was hinted or outright claimed that Rottiers and his son had dug up at least part of the antiquities themselves. Some of these objects are returning again, temporarily, so its your last chance to see them! Masterpieces from this collection include the Isis-temple from Taffeh (circa 0-100 A.D.) and the sculpture of Maya and his wife Merit (circa 1325 B.C.). Ancient Egyptian civilization, with its vast history and culture spanning over 3,000 years, has been a source of fascination for people around the world, starting with travellers from Europe and the publication of Description de lgypte, written after Napoleons military expedition to Egypt. Emma arrived in Holland in 2016 for a few weeks, fell in love with the place and never left. Are you following us on Instagram, cos you should! There is also hidden secret sections of the museum, where children can crawl under and see historic objects, that even the adults wouldnt notice. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. It features objects dating from prehistoric, Roman and Greek times and the Middle Ages, which come from all over Europe. Plans of Rottiers' to start his own excavations were never discussed with Reuvens, and eventually Rottiers actually excavated on Melos. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Reuvens' student, Conrad Leemans, was appointed temporary curator of the collection and was asked to compile reports on the state of the museum and Reuvens' intended publications. This is because they helped save the Nubian monuments. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Adult 1800, University Student 1400, High School Students & Under Free, 1-1-1 Wakinohamakaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo 651-0073. [], [] and live science will be taking place both outside and inside the Hortus, the Academiegebouw, the majestic museum of Antiquities, PJ Vethgebouw, Oranjerie, Oude Sterrewacht, RMO, Old School and [], [] The National Museum of Antiquities sits alongside the Rapenburg canal, the most well-known and arguably one of the most scenic canal streets in Leiden. To celebrate, the museum has a special 200-year anniversary (two centuries young) temporary exhibition and a light show on the Egyptian temple found inside. In 1839, Leemans, now appointed director, bought some 100 vases with funds from the king. The Isis Temple of Taffeh was acquired by the museum in 1969, where it has sat in the main entrance hall for most of its time. It also makes it more fun for them too. It is also one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. Leemans set to work in redecorating the mansion and moving the collection to the new building. So its perfect to take a group of friends, or for a school or work trip. Reuvens' collection had grown to a real museum. For other great Leiden events, click here. Alongside this, are objects which have never been displayed previously in the museum and are being shown for the very first time. It is surprising that Leiden would have such high-quality artifacts homed in its museum. The Netherlands to half university tuition fees for first-time students! Several other solutions were sought, including redecorating a medieval church and giving Reuvens part of a new academy building. Budgetary problems and the difficulties of transporting some of the largest pieces through the city were eventually overcome and, in August 1838, the National Museum of Antiquities finally had its official opening for the public. Approximately 6000 of these objects can be admired in the permanent display, the rest are stored in depots. Let us know in the comments! Making art more accessible,more profound. This 200-year-old museum is definitely underrated, as it is filled with so many impressive historic artefacts. This year is a special year for the Museum of Antiquities, as it is their 200th anniversary (in case you cant do the math, its been going since 1818). Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Attractions of ancient Egyptian civilization will be introduced from various perspectives, such as excavation of antiquities that fascinated people of the modern age and mummification steps that were clarified through modern science.