Vrijmetselarij Museum
Museum of Dutch Freemasonry in a villa from 1908, with aprons, regalia, crafts and a demonstration temple.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Vrijmetselarij Museum belongs to the Order of Vrijmetselaren under the Grootoosten der Nederlanden (Grand Orient of the Netherlands) and grew out of a collection of 19th-century memorabilia. It was established in 1995 as the Cultureel Maçonniek Centrum "Prins Frederik", with a museum, archive and library, and bears the name of Prince Frederick of the Netherlands, who was Grand Master from 1816 to 1881 and in 1866 donated the Bibliotheca Klossiana.
The centre was initially housed on Jan Evertstraat; since 2017 it has been located at Javastraat 2B. The house was built in 1908 to plans by A. P. Smits and H. Fels as a villa for the furniture manufacturer Klaas Pander. The collection comprises around 26,000 objects, including about 2,000 Masonic aprons, as well as prints, paintings and crafts, and one of the most important Masonic libraries in the world.
The museum mainly shows the practice of Freemasonry in its many facets: aprons and other regalia, ornamental objects, curiosities and pictures. Behind the otherwise closed doors of the temple, personal stories offer insight into ritual practice. Since a decision by the Grand Board in 2023, the archive and library (Studiecentrum) have been closed to researchers until further notice due to a lack of staff. The museum is a member of the Nederlandse Museumvereniging.
Highlights
- Masonic aprons and regalia from three centuries
- Demonstration temple offering insight into lodge ritual
- Bibliotheca Klossiana, a collection donated in 1866 by the German collector Georg Kloß
- Lithograph by M. C. Escher commissioned by the Order's leadership
- Villa from 1908 on Javastraat
- Founded
- 1995
- Operated by
- Orde van Vrijmetselaren onder het Grootoosten der Nederlanden
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7.50Students with a student ID |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Young people up to and including age 18 free |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companion free with a valid OV-Begleiterkaart (public transport companion card) |
| Students & apprentices | €7.50With student ID |
| Groups | –Groups of up to 10 people order e-tickets for a time slot; larger groups or dates outside opening hours on request |
| Guided tour on request (per guide, plus admission) | €40Max. 30 people (10 per guide), duration approx. 1 hour, including a reception with coffee/tea (approx. 30 min.); booking preferably 7 days in advance |
Free with Museumkaart, Rotterdampas, Ooievaarspas and ICOM card, and for members of the Grootoosten der Nederlanden; the VriendenLoterij VIP card and Rembrandtkaart are not accepted. The ticket is valid for the permanent and temporary exhibitions. The Museumkaart cannot be purchased at the ticket desk. Cashless payment only (debit card, Visa, Mastercard).
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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
The museum describes itself as not wheelchair accessible: at the entrance, steps (without a stairlift, because of heritage protection) lead up to the hall or down to the basement. Inside the building, a platform lift (150 × 95 cm) reaches all floors; please ask staff for help. Lightweight wheelchairs and walkers are allowed in the building. Crutches and folding stools are available in the rooms. Assistance dogs in harness are welcome; please let us know in advance.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly: not available
Children and young people up to age 18 have free admission. Strollers and buggies must be left folded at the entrance.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Javastraat
Bus 22, 24 and 28 and tram 1 to the Javastraat stop. It is best to plan your journey in advance with HTM or 9292.
By car
Paid parking
Paid parking at Alexanderplein.
About a 5-minute walk away (behind the Peace Palace), between Tolweg and Scheveningseweg, there is an off-leash dog area.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
Cloakroom with coat hooks, lockers for bags up to A4 size; larger luggage, suitcases and folding bikes cannot be stored. Eating and drinking only in the Coffee Corner. Free Wi-Fi (access details at reception).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (NL, EN) |
| Photography | Photography without flash, tripod or selfie stick is permitted, except during the video presentation in the demonstration temple; for private, non-commercial use only. |
| Good to know | Free audio guide on your own smartphone (museum Wi-Fi, bring your own headphones) in Dutch or English. Spontaneous introductory tours (45–60 min.) on Saturdays and Sundays at 12 noon and 3 pm, depending on guide availability – please enquire beforehand. Individual group tours by registration. |
