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Het Nationaal Brilmuseum – The National Museum of Spectacles in Amsterdam

This small museum is a consequence of passion of members of one family, which passed on their collection through four generations. Mijke Theunissen’s Brilmuseum has been established by her father Jan Theunissen more than 35 years ago, but the obsession with spectacles was rooted in the long family tradition, which dates back to the 19 century. The National Museum of Spectacles (Het Nationaal Brilmuseum) is located above an old fashioned optician’s shop, which feels itself like a museum. Two floors are full of interesting objects, exhibited in a way which works stimulating on visitor’s imagination. If you are into the history of fashion or 700 hundred years of history of spectacles in particular – you must see this small exhibit.

The feel

It is all like a visit to the past, even if some of this history is very recent because Buddy Holly, John Lennon, Elton John and Elvis Costello, also influenced the fashion of spectacles and may not be omitted. But the main value here is the scent of the past; it’s full of nostalgia richness and distinctiveness.

Open

Wednesday - Friday 11.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Saturday 11.30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission

adults - € 4,50 (includes an interesting brochure in English and Dutch);
children up to the age of 12 - € 2,25 (the museum’s poster is included in the price).

Museum located in the old house, which can not be adapted for the handicapped.

How to get there

walking: from Dam square: take the street on the left from the Queens Palace walk behind the palace direction Anne Frank House; the museum will be on your left (5 minutes).
by tram: from the Central Station, lines 1, 2, 5, stop at Koningsplein.
by car: try to find a metered parking place in one of the canal streets in the area or leave your car in car park of the Bijenkorf department store, at the Dam square. The entry to the five storeys garage is located behind the Bijenkorf, at Damrak corner of Beursstraat (487 parking places).

Het Nationaal Brilmuseum – The National Museum of Spectacles in Amsterdam on the map