Valkhof Museum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum was created in 1999 through the merger of two Nijmegen institutions: the Provinciaal Museum G.M. Kam with its important archaeological collection, and the municipal museum De Commanderie van Sint-Jan. The new building on Kelfkensbos was designed by Ben van Berkel (UNStudio) as an elongated glass volume whose ceiling follows the undulations of the landscape; because of its blue-gray facade, locals call it the "aquarium" or the "swimming pool." The site is steeped in history: Roman camps and a Batavian settlement stood on Valkhof hill, later followed by the palaces of Charlemagne and Frederick Barbarossa. Since 2021 the area has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lower German Limes.

Its roots go back to 1922, when the amateur archaeologist Gerard Marius Kam had a museum building in Roman style built for his collection. The Museum Kam building now serves as a research center and storage facility and is open on Sundays for guided tours; on behalf of the province of Gelderland, the museum also manages the Archeologisch Depot Gelderland.

In 2021 the municipality of Nijmegen bought the building and funded a thorough renovation, again designed by Van Berkel. The museum shop and café moved to the front facing the newly landscaped square, a colorful staircase connects the floors, and Ineke Hans designed the interior. On June 4, 2026, Queen Máxima opened the renewed Valkhof Museum, which has been open to all again since June 6. On the first floor, the collection presentation "Mens op de grens" tells the story from prehistory to the present; on the upper floor, exhibitions bring art and history into dialogue.

Highlights

• Collection presentation "Mens op de grens" on more than 40,000 years of history on the Roman frontier
• Archaeological finds from Nijmegen and Gelderland from the Stone Age to the Roman period
• Museum building by Ben van Berkel (UNStudio), renovated in 2026 with a colorful staircase and a café facing Kelfkensbos
• 17th-century tapestries from the time of the Peace of Nijmegen
• Sunday guided tours of the historic Museum Kam from 1922

Permanent exhibitions

• Mens op de grens – New collection presentation on the first floor showing how people, cultures and ideas met at the frontier near Nijmegen, from prehistory through Roman soldiers and the medieval trading center to the present day.
• Van binnenuit – Five artists, including Kader Attia, Narges Mohammadi and FreelingWaters, each explore one basic emotion together with objects from the collection; plus portraits of 34 Nijmegen residents by Robin de Puy.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Stichting Museum het Valkhof-Kam; Gebäude im Besitz der Gemeinde Nijmegen

Director

Herman Tibosch (directeur-bestuurder ab 1. Oktober 2026, Nachfolger von Hedwig Saam)

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart, the VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART (one person), Rembrandtkaart, ICOM card and as a Vriend van het Valkhof Museum (friend of the museum); cardholders can go straight to the ticket desk without an online ticket. Tickets online or at the ticket desk for the same day.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: not available
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: not available

Wheelchair-accessible entrance, sufficiently wide passageways, elevator (146 × 87 cm), adapted restroom; loaner wheelchairs and folding stools available, visits with a mobility scooter possible. Sign language interpretation and open captions are offered; no induction loop, no audio description, no Braille materials. If you need assistance on arrival, call the help desk at +31 6 15 44 23 91. No low-stimulus hours; it is quieter on weekdays at the start or end of the day.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

Free admission up to age 17. Every second Sunday of the month (with extra dates during school holidays), Kris Kras Atelier for free creative play: 10:30–12:00 for ages 1.5 to 6 with an adult, 13:00–15:00 for ages 6 to 12 (€2). Free baby tour with a card set for babies aged 9 to 15 months (about 30 minutes). Buggies and strollers are allowed in the galleries, back carriers are not.

Getting there & parking

The Kelfkensbos square is being redesigned; the museum remains accessible – watch for temporary signage.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Museum café with a terrace overlooking the Waal and Valkhofpark (coffee, light lunch dishes; same hours as the museum, no ticket or reservation needed). Museum shop in the entrance area. Coats, larger bags, backpacks and umbrellas go in the lockers; only bags up to A4 size are allowed in the galleries.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 140 guests.

"Het lokaal" for up to 25 people, "De zaal" for up to 77 people, both together for about 140 people; program and catering by arrangement.

Plan your visit