Description of the attraction
The life of the Netherlands largely depends on the sea, the Dutch have always been famous for being beautiful and courageous sailors. Therefore, in the capital of the Netherlands, the Museum of Shipping could not but appear, which tells about the history of navigation.
Since 1973, the museum has been housed in the premises of the former Admiralty Arsenal, built in 1656. This time is called the Golden Age - then Amsterdam was the largest port, the most important center of international trade. The Arsenal kept guns, ammunition, sails, flags and other equipment for the navy. Today, 350 years later, Arsenal makes the same impressive impression on us. In the early 2000s, the museum underwent a large-scale reconstruction. the old building did not meet modern museum standards.
The museum tells about the history of sailing not only in the Netherlands, but throughout Europe. Its exposition is presented in several sections. One of them talks about the Golden Age of Dutch history - and how it would have been impossible without the sea and navigation. Another section is devoted to the history of whaling, the next - to the history of the Amsterdam port itself. The "Dark Pages" section deals with the slave trade, while the "Sal, Laurie and the Marine Circus" section is designed for the youngest visitors of the museum - up to 6 years old.
In the museum you can see picturesque canvases on nautical themes, old maps, tools and ship decorations.
A ship moored next to the museum is a replica of the cargo ship Amsterdam, similar to those that flew from the Netherlands to the West Indies in the 18th century.
