Groote Museum

About the museum

The building was constructed between 1850 and 1855 for the members of the society Natura Artis Magistra and housed a classic zoological museum with systematically arranged objects. In 1947 this museum was closed and the collection moved to Naturalis in Leiden; the building then fell into disrepair for decades.

Between 2012 and 2022 the Rijksmonument was comprehensively restored. On 10 May 2022 it opened as the new Groote Museum, which ARTIS now runs as a museum in its own right with its own entrance on Artisplein – it can be visited independently of the zoo. Amsterdam's oldest museum halls, with their wooden floors, form the setting.

Instead of display cases with specimens, the museum offers a personal journey of discovery: twelve zones each start from a part of the body – such as skin, heart, brain, hands or eyes – and lead from there to larger questions about our role in nature. Interactive installations, films, sounds, smells, artworks and collection items show what humans have in common with animals, plants and microbes.

Highlights

• Twelve zones starting from your own body
• Interactive installations with sounds, smells and artworks
• Historic museum halls from 1850–1855 with wooden floors
• Three audio tours and the digital tour "Blikvanger"
• Daily changing short workshops ("Samenkomsten") included in the ticket price

Permanent exhibition

• Die zwölf Zonen des Groote Museum – Permanent exhibition in the historic halls: starting from body parts such as skin, heart or eyes, interactive installations, films and artworks explore the connection between humans, animals, plants and microbes.

Founded

2022

Operated by

Stichting Natura Artis Magistra (ARTIS)

Admission & discounts

Online from €17 (price varies by day, price calendar), €18 at the box office. Free with Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij card and ICOM card. Combination tickets with ARTIS park and Micropia available. Tickets are non-refundable but can be rebooked once within a year. Refugees with ID free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair-accessible entrance, lift, adapted toilets, one wheelchair available to borrow free of charge (reservations up to one day in advance at +31 20 523 3670), seating and loan stools, stairs with handrails. Assistance dogs welcome, Sunflower lanyard recognised, audio at many stations. Currently, because of a broken lift, part of the museum is not accessible to wheelchair users. Five disabled parking spaces in the ARTIS car park, two more on Plantage Kerklaan.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Interactive installations to join in; children up to 12 years have free admission, and during the autumn holidays ARTIS offers a special programme. School programmes for all school levels.

Getting there & parking

Entrance on Artisplein (Plantage Kerklaan 36), separate from the entrance to the ARTIS park. About ten minutes from Amsterdam Centraal by OV-fiets; bicycle racks on Plantage Kerklaan.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Café "Het Kleine Lokaal" under the roof of the museum (when leaving the ARTIS park, get a stamp at the entrance) and Café-Restaurant de Plantage on Artisplein; museum shop. You may bring your own food.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 450 guests.

Historic halls of the museum: Koningszaal (120–450 people) and Tijgerzaal (60–120 people) for dinners, celebrations, conferences and meetings; catering by Vermaat Events.

Plan your visit