Page 138 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

136  A MSTERD A M

1 Scheepvaart Museum

Once the arsenal of the Dutch Navy, this vast Dutch Classical
building was designed by Daniël Stalpaert in 1655. Constructed
around a massive courtyard, it was supported by thousands of
piles driven into the bed of the Oosterdok. The navy occupied
the building until the 20th century, and in 1973 it became the
Netherlands Maritime Museum. After a major renovation it
reopened in 2011; the courtyard, now covered by a vast glass
roof, forms the heart of the new exhibition space.

. Golden Age
Seven characters First
welcome you to this floor
exhibition covering
the golden era of
Dutch exploration
and trade in the 16th
and 17th centuries.

Ajax
This figurehead is from
a ship built in 1832. It
portrays Ajax, a hero of
the Trojan War, who killed
himself in despair when Classical sandstone
Achilles’ armour was façade
given to Odysseus.

Museum Guide
This museum’s exhibits reveal Dutch
maritime history. On a Virtual Sea Trip or
aboard the East Indiaman Amsterdam you
can relive the past; other exhibits tell the
stories of whaling, the Golden Age and
the port of Amsterdam. Objects on Stage
showcases the museum’s superb collection
of nautical paintings, navigation
instruments and antique globes.

Glass Canopy
The compass rose and
navigational lines on old sea
maps were the inspiration for Main
architect Laurent Ney’s criss- entrance
crossing steel armature
supporting the glass roof.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp396–7 and pp406–9

136-137_EW_Netherlands.indd 136 16/01/17 12:04 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm