The Nederlands Openluchtmuseum, located in Arnhem, takes visitors on a journey through Dutch culture and traditions spanning the past 350 years. This open-air museum features more than a hundred historic buildings — including farms, houses, windmills, and workshops — brought to life by costumed artisans, live demonstrations, and authentic craft displays.
Galerie photos
Arnhemcity12, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A Brief History
Founded in April 1912 and opened to the public in July 1918, the museum was created to preserve traditions threatened by growing industrialization. Over time, the museum expanded with many historic buildings from across the Netherlands. It even served as a shelter during World War II and nearly faced closure in the 1980s before being revived with a renewed focus and engaging activities.
What to Discover
The museum park covers about 44 hectares and is divided into thematic zones: farms, villages, workshops, gardens, and demonstration areas. More than a hundred reconstructed or restored buildings recreate life from centuries past, including windmills, a printing press, a brewery, a paper workshop, and a historic tram.
The Canon of Dutch History features 50 themed windows showcasing key moments in the Netherlands’ history through interactive installations.
Experiences and Activities
Visitors often encounter costumed artisans demonstrating traditional crafts such as milling, blacksmithing, printing, and papermaking. In summer, special events like “organists’ days,” harvests, threshing, and tram rides are regularly organized.
A new area, the Craft Workshop, allows visitors to try out traditional techniques themselves for a hands-on experience.
