Adults€15.50
Explore the diverse and internationally renowned collections of the University of Amsterdam, spanning ancient artifacts to modern heritage. The museum offers insights into academic research and historical treasures, complemented by an espresso bar and shop for visitors.
The Allard Pierson Museum houses the internationally renowned collections of the University of Amsterdam, focusing on heritage material for public display and study.
The Allard Pierson Museum, located in Amsterdam, serves as the museum of the University of Amsterdam, preserving and presenting its diverse, internationally renowned collections. It offers a comprehensive look into various historical and cultural periods through a wide array of heritage material for public display and study. Beyond its exhibition spaces, the museum provides a dedicated Reading Room for academic research and deeper engagement with its holdings.
The Allard Pierson Museum is centrally located on Oude Turfmarkt in the historic Burgwallen Oude Zijde neighborhood of Amsterdam. Its prime position in the city, closely associated with the University of Amsterdam, provides convenient access for visitors exploring its comprehensive collections of archaeology, ancient worlds, and cultural history.
Oude Turfmarkt 127-129
1012 GC Amsterdam
Burgwallen Oude Zijde, North Holland, NL
The Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam is easily reachable by public transport via tram and metro, with stops conveniently located nearby. For those arriving by car, several paid parking garages are available in the vicinity, such as Rokin and Kalverstraat. Ample bicycle parking can be found on Oude Turfmarkt, or in the large facility under the Rokin with direct metro access.
The Allard Pierson Museum, serving as the University of Amsterdam's official museum in Amsterdam, offers a distinctive experience by preserving and presenting its internationally renowned collections. Visitors can explore a wide array of heritage materials that provide insight into archaeology, ancient worlds, and various historical and cultural periods, reflecting the institution's commitment to both public engagement and academic research. Thematic threads include ancient artifacts, university heritage, and contemporary research, inviting a deeper understanding of human history. Beyond the exhibition galleries, the museum also features an espresso bar and a dedicated Reading Room, providing 40 study spaces for those interested in engaging directly with the extensive heritage materials. This unique approach allows for a rich cultural outing while supporting scholarly inquiry into significant historical collections.
A historical and contemporary exploration of performance, costumes, and identity.
Delve into the Allard Pierson Theatre Collection to uncover the significance of stage roles and self-representation. The exhibition features historical artifacts alongside contemporary artistic insights into the nature of transformation.
The Art of Transformation
Historical artifacts detailing LGBTIQ+ narratives and gender diversity.
Discover how archaeology, theatre history, and books reveal the presence of gender diversity across human existence. This curated selection highlights the long-standing nature of sexual diversity beyond binary norms.
Change the world, not us.
Explore his journey from slavery to cultural artistry.
Delve into the life and legacy of Johannes N. Helstone, a pivotal Surinamese classical composer. The exhibition traces his journey from slavery to celebrated musician, using personal archives and historical items. Understand the cultural history of Suriname through this unique perspective.
Exhibition Details
A deep dive into letter forms and design from around 1900.
Discover how Art Nouveau profoundly influenced typography and graphic arts at the turn of the 20th century. Examine unique letter shapes, rare type specimens, and a fascinating 1960s design resurgence, showcasing the enduring legacy of this artistic movement.
Letters of Art Nouveau
Discover the female form in Art Nouveau through diverse artistic creations.
This exhibition at the Allard Pierson delves into Art Nouveau's captivating depiction of the female figure around 1900. It showcases a diverse collection of jewelry, posters, and unique decorative objects, reflecting the artistic sensibilities of the era.
Goddesses of Art Nouveau
Paintings of early 20th-century Amsterdam theatre audiences.
Discover Martin Monnickendam's vibrant depictions of historical theatre-goers. This exhibition at Allard Pierson celebrates a unique perspective on Amsterdam's rich cultural past and the museum's theatre collection milestone.
The Audience Portrayed
Discover the beauty and production techniques of over 200 ancient glass objects.
Delve into the artistry of ancient glass at this exhibition, featuring more than 200 remarkable objects. Uncover the evolution of glassmaking from Egyptian origins to Roman innovations, revealed through modern research and captivating displays.
Glass Exhibition
Explore historical human-nature interaction and the urgency of species extinction.
This exhibition at the Allard Pierson Museum highlights the human-nature relationship across centuries, from historical studies to contemporary environmental concerns. Experience the poignant sound of the extinct Hawaiian Kauai O'o bird and discover works that advocate for nature conservation.
O'o Nature ExhibitionThe Allard Pierson Museum, located in Amsterdam, has roots in the University of Amsterdam where its first professor of classical archaeology, Allard Pierson, began assembling a collection of plaster casts around 1877. This foundational collection grew alongside the university's interest in acquiring other significant antiquities, leading to the establishment of the Allard Pierson Foundation in 1932 to support research and teaching. The museum officially opened to the public in 1934 and later expanded, relocating to its larger premises at Oude Turfmarkt in 1976. In 2014, the Allard Pierson Museum hosted the notable "Crimea – Gold and Secrets of the Black Sea" exhibition, with the full transfer of the disputed Crimean artifacts to Ukraine concluded in 2023.
The Allard Pierson Museum has announced the acquisition of a unique copy of a 17th-century Jewish prayer book, a Haggadah printed by David Abenatar Melo. This significant discovery is only the second known copy of the book, which includes rare textual features, and enriches the museum's world-renowned Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana collection, supporting research into early modern Jewish history in Amsterdam.
The Allard Pierson joins the international World Pride 2026 celebrations by exploring gender diversity and historical identity through its unique collections. Visitors can discover three thematic Pride-focused elements, including exhibitions on crossdressing and historical cartography, reflecting the ongoing global conversation on LGBTQI+ rights.
The Allard Pierson Museum is celebrating the work of renowned Dutch book designer Irma Boom with a major exhibition in Japan, building on their 2022 'Book Manifest' show. This Japanese exhibition, titled 'Book Activist', features Boom's boundary-pushing projects and coincides with the release of the expanded fourth edition of her monumental 'Book Activist' publication.
The Allard Pierson Museum's affiliated Artis Library is temporarily closed for essential renovations to its roof and façade. During this period, the library's valuable collection will be inaccessible, and visitors should be aware of potential noise and dust protection measures.
The Allard Pierson Museum has assisted in a legal investigation concerning archaeological artifacts seized from an auction house. Experts evaluated the objects for authenticity and provenance, with some found to be modern forgeries. The museum plays a key role in assessing cultural heritage and determining its future.
The Allard Pierson Museum is embarking on a multi-year collaboration with Rubicon Impact & Litigation, a law firm specializing in values-driven legal practice. This partnership will fund a dedicated three-year fellowship to conduct in-depth provenance research on the museum's archaeological collections, furthering its commitment to ethical restitution and heritage stewardship.
The Allard Pierson Museum is participating in the national Week of Classics from April 9-19, 2026, with a program themed 'Multifaceted Antiquity: Voices of Then, Voices of Now.' Visitors can join guided tours, talks, and drawing sessions exploring ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the history of slavery.
The Allard Pierson Museum has acquired the original drawings for the popular Dutch comic strip 'S1ngle'. Created by Hanco Kolk and Peter de Wit, the comic chronicles the daily lives, relationships, and workplace experiences of three friends. This acquisition enriches the museum's extensive collection of Dutch daily life comics.
Explore the Allard Pierson Museum through these images, showcasing its diverse collections from ancient worlds and cultural history. You can view classical marble statues, intricate Art Nouveau sculptures, and ancient glass vessels, all displayed within engaging gallery settings. These photos offer a preview of the archaeological and historical treasures visitors can discover at the museum.
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