Stedelijk Museum Vianen

About the museum

The Stedelijk Museum Vianen, on the Voorstraat, presents the history and art of the former free city of Vianen and its surroundings. It is run by its own foundation, whose aim is to awaken interest in art, culture and local history. The museum sees itself as a meeting place for the town and the municipality of Vijfheerenlanden, and works closely with the historical society "Het Land van Brederode", the Toneelroute Vianen and the Nationaal Glasmuseum in Leerdam.

The museum is housed in the buildings at Voorstraat 97 and 99. Both date back to 16th-century residential houses that were combined around 1650 to form a Catholic schuilkerk, a hidden church. Wooden, marbled columns support a porch with 17th-century paintings, including garlands, rosettes and a dove. After the Catholics moved into a new church in 1807, the building passed into private ownership and was altered several times in the 19th and 20th centuries. A comprehensive restoration in 1992 turned number 97 into the city museum, while number 99 became a residential house again.

Using its own collection and long-term loans from the municipality of Vijfheerenlanden, the Rijksmuseum and the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, the permanent display tells the history of Vianen. Themes include a coin hoard, still lifes, locally made objects, the humanist Coornhert, the writer Ina Boudier-Bakker and the noble House of Brederode. As space is limited, not all works are on display at all times. There are also several temporary exhibitions each year, lectures and a small-scale arts programme.

Highlights

• Former 17th-century Catholic schuilkerk with original paintings
• Permanent display on the history of Vianen with loans from the Rijksmuseum
• Coin hoard, still lifes and works on the Brederodes
• Museum bingo and city rally for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Vaste presentatie – Geschiedenis van Vianen – Objects from the museum's own collection and loans tell the story of the city and its surroundings, from the coin hoard and still lifes to the Brederodes.
• Schuilkerk 17de eeuw – The room of the former hidden Catholic church with a painted canopy from the 17th century.

Operated by

Stichting Stedelijk Museum Vianen

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart, for friends and donors of the museum, and with the ICOM card.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Free museum bingo in the building, a city rally through Vianen with the dog Roef, occasional children's workshops (ages 4–12) and school programmes for primary schools.

Getting there & parking

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