Ikonenmuseum Kampen

About the museum

The museum occupies a former monastery of the Friars Minor (Franciscans) in the centre of the Hanseatic city of Kampen. The community is first mentioned in the Kampen Annals in 1300; the present museum building served as the monks' living and sleeping quarters. In 1472 the monastery burned down and by 1490 had been rebuilt. After the Reformation the monks had to leave the city in 1579; the city took over the complex and used it, among other things, for the rector of the Latin school. In recent decades the building housed a police station and municipal offices.

In 2005 the building passed into private ownership, which allowed the Alexander Stichting to set up the Icon Museum here. The monastery complex was extensively converted for this purpose, many original elements were restored, and a modern glazed atrium building with the museum café was created in the inner courtyard. It also serves as a passage to the old Timmertoren tower.

The foundation's collection comprises more than 2,000 wooden icons, bronze travelling icons and crosses from the 10th to the 20th century, mostly from Russia but also from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Ethiopia; there are also lacquer boxes with fairy-tale and folklore motifs, as well as loans. Twelve exhibition rooms in two buildings show part of the permanent collection on the ground floor, and changing presentations on the upper floor and in the Timmertoren tower.

Highlights

• Collection of mainly Russian icons from the 10th to the 20th century
• Bronze travelling icons and crosses in display cases
• Lacquer boxes with Russian fairy-tale and folklore motifs
• Former Franciscan monastery with the monks' dormitory
• Museum café in the glazed atrium in the monastery courtyard

Permanent exhibition

• Ständige Sammlung: Ikonen der Alexander Stichting – Part of the collection of icons, travelling icons and lacquer boxes is on permanent display in four rooms of the main building.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Alexander Stichting

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart, for ICOM members and Friends of the Museum. The Museumkaart is not available at the ticket desk. For special events such as Open Monument Day the price may differ.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Step-free with a spacious lift; only the upper floor of the Timmertoren tower is not wheelchair-accessible. A few wheelchairs and rollators are available on loan (reserve by phone beforehand). Disabled parking spaces are at Burgwal 84 in front of the Stadsgehoorzaal. Only guide dogs and other assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

For primary school classes there is an age-appropriate treasure hunt with a learning box; the museum does not mention a separate family programme.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the centre of Kampen, at Buiten Nieuwstraat 2; about an hour by car from Amsterdam, Utrecht, Nijmegen or Groningen.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum café "Het Atrium" in the glass courtyard with coffee, tea and chocolates. Large bags and rucksacks are not allowed in the rooms and are kept at the ticket desk.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Group meetings for visitors take place in the Timmertoren tower; in the evening the rooms can be booked for corporate presentations, meetings and the like.

Plan your visit