Museum Bronbeek

About the museum

At the start of the 19th century Bronbeek was a buitenplaats, a country estate that wealthy citizens had laid out as a summer residence. King Willem III, the last private owner, donated the estate to the Dutch state in 1859, on condition that a home for retired soldiers of the colonial army be set up there. To plans by the architect Nicolaas Willem Rose, a building that was modern and functional for its time was constructed and opened in 1863: the Koninklijk Tehuis voor Oud-Militairen with a museum. Veterans of all branches of the armed forces and of the former Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) still live there today.

The museum sees itself as a knowledge institute for the colonial and military past of the Kingdom. In six halls on the upper floor, the permanent exhibition tells of the rise and decline of the Netherlands as a colonial power in Asia: from conquest and administration through everyday life in a multicultural but unequal society to the struggle for independence and its aftermath. It closes with how Indonesia and the Netherlands look at this shared history today. Personal stories, objects, photos and videos provide the way in; on the ground floor the museum shows changing exhibitions.

The estate itself is freely accessible every day. The residents’ former kitchen garden has become a park with numerous monuments added since the 1980s; many commemorations of the period of the Japanese occupation of Southeast Asia take place here. The grounds also include the Kumpulan, a conference venue with an Indonesian restaurant.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on the colonial history of Indonesia 1816–1962 in six halls
• The nearly seven-tonne cannon known as the “peperstuk” at the reception
• Estate with monuments, freely accessible all day
• Café Batavia and the Indonesian restaurant Kumpulan
• Museum library on the ground floor

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung zur Kolonialgeschichte Indonesiens 1816–1962 – Six halls on the upper floor tell of conquest, colonial society, the struggle for independence and how the shared heritage is dealt with today.

Founded

1863

Operated by

Ministerie van Defensie (Koninklijk Tehuis voor Oud-Militairen en Museum Bronbeek)

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart, ICOM card, Veteranenpas, Defensiepas and Reservistenpas, and with the “Vrienden van Bronbeek” donor card. The estate is free of charge.

Accessibility

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

The museum, the home and the café-restaurant Kumpulan are accessible to wheelchairs and walkers. Only assistance dogs are allowed on the estate.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum treasure hunt with the mouse deer Kantjil is for children aged 9 and up; for younger children there are free picture searches, colouring sheets and activities at the reception. For school classes the museum offers its own programmes for primary and secondary schools.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café Batavia with museum shop on the ground floor; on the grounds, the Indonesian specialty restaurant Kumpulan with a conservatory and terrace (reservation required on +31 26 364 92 94). Food and drink are not allowed in the exhibition; bags larger than A4 and umbrellas go in the lockers.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The Kumpulan on the estate offers conference and meeting rooms with a restaurant, conservatory and terrace.

Plan your visit