Huygens Museum

About the museum

The Huygens Museum emerged from the merger of two houses in Voorburg, which now operate under one name and with a shared ticket. The Notarishuis on Herenstraat was built in 1805 for a notary and has housed the Museum Swaensteyn since 1968; the museum was previously across the street. Two foundations for local history joined forces in 2008; after a renovation the house reopened in 2013. It also serves as a VVV tourist information point.

Hofwijck was built from 1639 for the poet, musician and diplomat Constantijn Huygens and inaugurated in 1642; the design and garden layout came from Huygens himself together with Jacob van Campen. The garden follows the proportions of the human body, with the tiny country house forming the head; the lower body disappeared when Voorburg station was built in 1870. Huygens' son Christiaan, one of the most important scientists of the Netherlands, later lived here too. The Vereniging Hofwijck saved the estate from demolition, acquired it in 1914 and set up a museum; the house and garden were restored between 1995 and 2005.

In the Notarishuis the focus is on the history of Voorburg and Leidschendam: from the Roman Forum Hadriani, the northernmost Roman city in Europe, to the art of the region and to Princess Marianne, who lived in Voorburg in the 19th century. In Hofwijck the centre is Constantijn Huygens' world in the 17th century, Christiaan's telescopes and clocks, and the rediscovered ice cellar.

Highlights

• One ticket valid for two sites: Hofwijck and Notarishuis
• Hofwijck country house from 1642 with a garden in the shape of a human body, designed by Constantijn Huygens and Jacob van Campen
• Attic exhibition on Christiaan Huygens with telescopes and clocks to try out
• Roman finds from Forum Hadriani in the Notarishuis
• Marianne Room on Princess Marianne of the Netherlands

Permanent exhibitions

• De Eeuw van Constantijn – The 17th century seen through the eyes of Constantijn Huygens: family portraits, poems to listen to and his letters, of which he probably wrote more than 100,000 (Hofwijck).
• Christiaan onder de Sterren – In the attic where Christiaan Huygens kept his telescopes, 17th-century telescopes and clocks show his discoveries, such as the pendulum clock and Saturn's ring (Hofwijck).
• Romeinen aan de Vliet – Some 2,000 years ago the Roman town of Forum Hadriani, a flourishing administrative and trading centre, stood where Voorburg is today; finds tell its story (Notarishuis).

Operated by

Stichting Huygensmuseum

Director

Tim Zeedijk

Admission & discounts

One ticket covers both sites; no reservation is needed during regular opening hours. Free with a Museumkaart, for members of the Vereniging Hofwijck, with a Rembrandtkaart, ICOM card or VriendenLoterij VIP card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

The Notarishuis is wheelchair-accessible and has a lift and an accessible toilet. Hofwijck is hard to access because of its age, narrow stairs and the bridge, and is not wheelchair-accessible; there is an accessible toilet at the entrance. Details with photos at ongehinderd.nl; please request support in advance by email.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

In Hofwijck's attic, adults and children can discover and experiment for themselves with telescopes and clocks in the exhibition "Christiaan onder de Sterren" (Christiaan among the Stars); museum lessons for primary and secondary schools.

Getting there & parking

Hofwijck: Westeinde 2a; Notarishuis: Herenstraat 101. Hofwijck is also reachable by boat (own jetty, in cooperation with Rederij De Ooievaart).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop at both sites (souvenirs, books, gifts). High tea and lunch are available by reservation as part of packages (catering by DISH Catering).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings in the historic hall of Hofwijck (up to 30 guests), a meeting room in the Poortgebouw (up to 16 people), the Schilderijenzaal (painting hall) in the Notarishuis; celebrations and exclusive hire of both sites are possible.

Plan your visit