Museum and collections institute of the Universiteit van Amsterdam on the Rokin – antiquities from Egypt, Greece and Rome plus special collections.
July 4, 2026 – November 29, 2026
From the theater collection: costumes, photographs and set designs on cross-dressing, the Slingelandt theater and the revue singer Louisette, complemented by works by contemporary artists such as Diana Blok and Arne Hendriks.
May 16, 2025 – November 1, 2026
More than 200 ancient glass objects from the archaeology collection, with new insights into how they were made from research conducted with TU Delft, complemented by works by contemporary glass artists.
July 7, 2026 – January 31, 2027
Small presentation for WorldPride: three objects from different collections tell of gender diversity through the centuries.
September 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027
Freely accessible listening station on Dutch cassette culture of the 1980s and 1990s, from the music collections.
The Allard Pierson is named after the theologian and cultural historian Allard Pierson (1831–1896), who in 1877 became one of the first professors at the newly founded Universiteit van Amsterdam and assembled a small collection of plaster casts. After the death of the archaeologist Jan Six, a foundation was established in 1926 to secure his books and antiquities for the university.
When the banker Lunsingh Scheurleer from Den Haag had to give up his private museum during the economic crisis, the foundation bought the collection and donated it to the university on condition that it be shown publicly. As a result, the Allard Pierson Museum opened on the Sarphatistraat on November 12, 1934. In 1976 it moved into the former headquarters of the Nederlandsche Bank on the Oude Turfmarkt; a rail for money carts still runs from the quay into the entrance hall.
In 2007 the Bijzondere Collecties (special collections) of the university library moved into the building next door. Their holdings go back to the city library founded in 1578 and include manuscripts, printed books, maps and atlases, theater and music collections, and the Artis Library. In 2019 the museum and the special collections merged under the name Allard Pierson, and the museum section was completely renovated.
The permanent exhibition presents archaeology from Egypt, the Near East, Greece, Etruria and Rome. There is also a gallery with almost 300 casts of ancient sculptures, the freely accessible GeoZone with map reproductions, and changing exhibitions drawn from the university's other collections.
| Adults | €15.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7.50CJP holders and students with an ISIC |
| Children & teens | €3.50free up to age 4 · Up to age 4 free, ages 5–18 €3.50 |
| Seniors | –No senior discount in the price list |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companion free if an independent visit is not possible |
| Students & apprentices | €6Students and staff of UvA/HvA €6; other students with an ISIC €7.50 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €13.50 per personSchool groups €3.50 per person, teachers free; guided tours €70 per hour plus admission (with a curator €95 for schools) |
Free with the Museumkaart; also free with Vereniging Rembrandt, Stadspas, I amsterdam City Card, ICOM, VriendenLoterij card and for Friends, patrons and senators of the Allard Pierson. With an Uitpas, 40% off on weekdays before 13:00 (except during school holidays). Studio and GeoZone freely accessible.
From the entrance, an elevator takes you to the ticket desk on the second floor; all floors reachable by elevator, partly with staff assistance, stair lifts to mezzanine levels. Loan wheelchairs and stools available. One parking space on the museum's own grounds for wheelchair and rollator users, reservable up to one day in advance at +31 20 525 3171. Accessible restroom on the third floor with a 150 cm turning circle (narrower on the first floor). Videos with open captions; no Braille materials or image descriptions.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
Sterrenkijkers-speurtocht scavenger hunt at the ticket desk and the "Onderzoek ’t zelf" explorer kit for families with children aged 6 to 12; workshops during school holidays. Children up to age 4 free.
Rokin
From Amsterdam Centraal, tram 4 and 14 to Rokin or Metro 52 to Rokin station; about a 10-minute walk from the Dam.
Paid parking
The Oude Turfmarkt is car-free. Nearby parking garages: Rokin (Rokin 67), Kalverstraat (Singel 451c), The Bank Rembrandtplein (Amstelstraat 12), Bijenkorf (Beursplein 15), Parkbee Keizersgracht (Keizersgracht 485) and Muziektheater (Waterlooplein 28); cheaper via P+R on the A10.
Rederij Kooij boat landing right in front of the main entrance. Large bicycle garage under the Rokin with access to the metro (first 24 hours free). Loading and unloading on the Oude Turfmarkt until 11:00.
Get directionsEspresso bar overlooking the Rokin (Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00, also without visiting the museum; table reservations for 6 or more via booking@allardpierson.nl) and museum shop.
Up to 150 guests.
Rooms such as the Nina van Leerzaal (25–125 people), UvA Live (25–80) and the espresso bar (40–150) for meetings, presentations, receptions and dinners as well as private parties; can be combined with guided tours. Contact: events@allardpierson.nl, +31 20 525 3770.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Request group tours of the permanent and temporary exhibitions at least two weeks in advance using the form (booking@allardpierson.nl); school tours per 10 students. Free audio tour for the exhibition "Van Glas". On Wednesdays 14:00–15:00, the curator of cartography is available for questions in the GeoZone. |
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