Rijksmuseum Garden

Everyone knows that The Rijksmuseum is world famous for its collection of Old Masters. Only few know that behind and around the museum is an attractive garden that can be visited for free. It is a peaceful spot in the heart of Amsterdam the city, full of flowers, sculptures, and surprising bits of history.

A Mini Open-air Museum Full of History

Architect Pierre Cuypers, architect of Amsterdam Central Station, designed the gardens in such a way that they looked like a mini open-air museum. You will see statues, medieval city gates, and fragments of historic buildings. A walk in the gardens is a mini crash course in history

Four Gardens Each with their Own Style

  • Renaissance in the west and east corners
  • French Classical in the south
  • Landscape style in the southeast
  • Simple geometric shapes at the front of the museum

The Unique City Gate

A real eye-catcher is the double city gate in the southwest corner. They are composed of fragments of Bergpoort gate from Deventer and the Herepoort gate from Groningen. These gates were earmarked for demolishing. Cuypers had them transported to Amsterdam and rebuilt them stone by stone. They give the Museum Garden a unique piece of history.

Flowers, Plants, and Art

The gardens are home to some 7,000 perennials and more than 16,000 flower bulbs, supplied by Keukenhof. The planting changes with the museum’s exhibitions. Among the flowers, you’ll find classical statues, fountains, and also sections of old city walls.

Practical information

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