Nederlands Vestingmuseum

About the museum

The Nederlands Vestingmuseum is located on the Turfpoort bastion, one of the six bulwarks that give the fortress town of Naarden its distinctive star shape. Since 1955, the museum has used an area of about two hectares of the ramparts there. The present form of the bastion dates from the years 1675 to 1685, when Stadtholder William III had the fortification modernised according to the principles of the New Dutch Fortification System; the bombproof casemates, with walls up to two metres thick and a three to four metre high earth covering, were also built at that time.

In the 19th century, the complex was adapted to the greater range of artillery. In 1877, the two-storey mortar casemate "Kazemat IJ" was added, which had room for 48 soldiers and officers, as well as the cannon store "Kanonremise X". The ticket desk, museum shop and café are located there today. The casemates are the only ones in Naarden open to visitors.

The collection covers the period from 1350 to 1926 and includes fortress artillery, archaeological finds, prints, small arms and firearms, and items of equipment. The focus is on the history of the Naarden fortress, fortress construction and the Old and New Hollandse Waterlinie; a large part is devoted to General Cornelis Krayenhoff (1758–1840), who guided Napoleon through the fortress in 1811. Outdoors stand cannons from the 17th to 19th centuries, with which the gunners in 1814 uniforms give demonstrations on the monthly Schuttersdag. The museum is run by the Stichting Het Nederlands Vestingmuseum.

Highlights

• Walkable casemates and powder chambers of the Turfpoort bastion
• Historic cannons with demonstrations on Schuttersdag
• Krayenhoff collection on the Hollandse Waterlinie
• Napoleon in Naarden and the siege of 1813/14
• Free audio tour in Dutch, English and German
• Views over the fortifications and café in the Kanonremise

Permanent exhibitions

• Bastion Turfpoort und Kasematten – Tour across the bastion and through the casemates, powder chambers and cannon cellars of the Naarden fortress.
• Krayenhoff und die Hollandse Waterlinie – Collection on General Krayenhoff, fortress construction and the water lines, including weapons, medals and documents.
• Napoleon in Naarden – Tells of Napoleon's visit in 1811 and the siege of the French garrison in 1813/14.

Operated by

Stichting Het Nederlands Vestingmuseum

Visitors per year

approx. 21,542 (2019)

Admission & discounts

The audio tour is included in the admission for adults and children. Free with the Museumkaart, ICOM, ICOMOS, I Amsterdam, Rembrandtkaart, Veteranenpas and for members of the Friends of the Museum. Payment is cashless only (PIN, VISA, Mastercard). No reservation needed; tickets are available in the "Cantine". The Museumkaart can be bought on site (€75; ages 13 to 19 and up to 12 each €39).

Accessibility

• Partially 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

Because of the many differences in height on the historic bastion, the museum is only partly accessible for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Treasure hunt across the grounds and through the casemates, as well as children's birthday parties for 4- to 12-year-olds with cannon firing using water bottles. Goats live on the grounds.

Getting there & parking

From the station about a 20 to 25-minute walk, by rental bicycle (OV-fiets) about 5 to 10 minutes. Bicycle parking is available directly in front of the entrance gate.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Café ("Cantine") and museum shop in Kanonremise X; coffee, cake and tosti are available. Dogs are welcome on a lead, bags for dog waste are available at the ticket desk.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The grounds are rented out for film, television and advertising shoots; on Mondays, when the museum is closed, shoots are possible at the market rate.

Plan your visit