Multatuli Museum
Writer's museum in the birthplace of Multatuli (Eduard Douwes Dekker), author of the novel "Max Havelaar", with study and library.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is located in the Amsterdam birthplace of Eduard Douwes Dekker (1820–1887), who wrote the novel "Max Havelaar" under the pseudonym Multatuli. In it, as a former colonial official, he denounced the exploitation of the population in the Dutch East Indies; the book is still regarded as one of the most important whistleblower novels in Dutch literature and fuelled resistance to colonialism. Multatuli later also campaigned for women's suffrage, emancipation and workers' rights.
Most of the collection comes from the estate of Mimi Hamminck Schepel (1839–1930), Douwes Dekker's second wife. She bequeathed her household effects to the Multatuli Genootschap, including letters, personal items and furniture from his study. The house thus holds the largest collection of original items of a writer in the Netherlands. The original manuscript of "Max Havelaar" and other very fragile objects are kept on loan at the Allard Pierson in Amsterdam.
On the bel-étage the house shows a changing exhibition every year and has a library with special editions of his works. On the first floor is the period room with desk, globe, travelling trunk and the red chaise longue on which Multatuli died; in the basement are archives and a larger study library. His complete works are also digitised online on the Multatuli Online platform.
Highlights
- Birthplace of the writer Multatuli (Eduard Douwes Dekker)
- Period room with desk, globe, travelling trunk and the red chaise longue
- Largest collection of original items of a writer in the Netherlands
- Library with special editions of his works
- Guided tours and study space with documentation
- Operated by
- Stichting Multatuli Huis
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freeChildren free (age limit not stated) |
| Students & apprentices | €3.50Individual students €3.50; those coming expressly for their studies have free admission |
| Groups (10+ people) | –School classes €6 per pupil (also via CJP); groups of 10 or more people must reserve date and time |
| School class (per pupil) | €6Also bookable via CJP |
Free with Museumkaart, ICOM card and Stadspas (blue diamond); members of the Multatuli Genootschap have free admission.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kids
Children have free admission; the museum does not mention any special children's programmes, school classes receive tailor-made tours.
Getting there & parking
The entrance is in the small alley Korsjespoortsteeg in the centre of Amsterdam.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
In the basement are the archives of the Genootschap and a study library on Multatuli.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | You can take part in a tour led by one of the guides or study the library in peace. School classes receive tailor-made tours; for students a study space with documentation is available on request (works in all editions, the journal "Over Multatuli", archive of the Genootschap, Multatuli's own library). |
