Museum Zaanse Tijd

About the museum

The museum was founded on the initiative of the municipality of Zaandam and was opened on 3 February 1976 by Prince Claus. In 1985 it was threatened with closure; fundraising campaigns and the founding of its own foundation secured its survival. Today the Stichting Museum van het Nederlandse Uurwerk runs the museum; it works with other foundations that contribute private collections as loans.

It is housed in a listed 17th-century sailcloth weaver's house that originally stood in Assendelft and was moved to the Zaanse Schans. Inside, period rooms lead back into historic living quarters.

The collection consists mainly of clocks: the typical Zaan wall clock from the Golden Age, pendulum clocks from the time of Christiaan Huygens, longcase clocks, table clocks, tower clocks, as well as hourglasses and sundials. From about 1675, the Zaanstreek was one of the centres of Dutch pendulum clock making, after Huygens introduced the pendulum for clocks in 1657. Almost all pieces still run and strike. In 2026 the museum celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Highlights

• Zaan wall clocks (Zaanse klok) from the Golden Age
• Pendulum clocks from the time of Christiaan Huygens
• Longcase clocks, table clocks, tower clocks, hourglasses and sundials
• Historic 17th-century house with period rooms
• Almost all clocks still run and strike
• Touchable celestial globe of Atlas for children

Permanent exhibition

• Zaanse klokken en Nederlandse uurwerken – Permanent display with Zaan wall clocks, pendulum clocks, longcase clocks, table clocks, tower clocks, hourglasses and sundials in historic period rooms.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Stichting Museum van het Nederlandse Uurwerk

Director

Hans van den Ende

Admission & discounts

Prices include a €0.55 municipal tax. Free admission with Museumkaart, I amsterdam Card, Zaanse Schans Card (Ticket Zaanse Schans), Vereniging Rembrandt and Klokkenvrienden Nederland. Tickets online or at the ticket desk.

Accessibility

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

Wheelchair users can visit the ground floor with the permanent display; there is a mobile ramp at the entrance, and a lift is not possible because of the listed building. Wheelchairs with a wide or tilted seat do not always fit through the door. Two disabled parking spaces directly in front of the museum. Accessible toilets are available at the main entrance of the Zaanse Schans and in the Zaans Museum; a limited supply of loan wheelchairs is also available there (reservation on +31 75 681 0000).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Its own children's page with a rally and a cut-out clock to make; children may touch the celestial globe of Atlas, and activities for families are frequently offered in the museum.

Getting there & parking

Satnav address: Schansend 7, Zaandam (Zaanse Schans car park); from there it is about a 7-minute walk across the Schans to the museum at Kalverringdijk 3. From Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station, about 12 minutes on foot.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit