Visiting museums may not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you get to know what Giethoorn museums offer, you might change your mind.
If you want to experience Giethoorn’s culture, one of the best things you can go to, (aside from exploring its canals) is to check out its museums. Here you will find a museum where you can catch a glimpse of what it’s like to live on a farm a hundred years go. You can also take in the wonders of what lies underwater and see some of the rarest pearls and perhaps, the largest egg in the world?
If that’s not enough, you can also head to nearby areas to experience more of the Dutch culture in this part of The Netherlands.
Museum ’t Olde Maat US
Low season (29 October to 31 March)
- Monday, Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 to 17:00
High season (1 April to 27 October)
– Open all days of the week from 11:00 to 17:00
Catch a glimpse of an original Gieterse farm here at the museum. Why? The museum is actually a renovated farmhouse that is located in the middle of the centre of Giethoorn, right smack on the village canal. Here you can see what the farm life was in the village a hundred years ago.
Here you will learn about peat mining and special customs. Take a walk down to the fishing and boat house in the yard that will show you how life was back then. Either go on a tour with a volunteer that will tell you everything you need to know. On the other hand, if you enjoy your solitude and you want to go around the museum at your own pace, an audio tour is available in German, Chinese, and English.
Read more about the museum here.
Museum The Old Earth
Low season:
- Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 to 17:00
Regular school holidays:
– Open all days: 10:00 to 17:00
Do you want to see the largest egg in the world? The amethyst geode from Brazil is here at the gem and mineral museum located in the village. Here you can see gems and minerals that date back to 1969.
Don’t forget to take a piece of it with you—go and visit the museum shop. You can shop for fossils, gemstones, minerals, as well as jewelry, decoration pieces, and many more.
Read more about The Old Earth here.
Shell Gallery Gloria Maris
- 1 April to 1 October: 10:00 to 18:00
- 1 October to 1 November: 11:00 to 17:00
- 1 November to 1 April: open by appointment (book via email or phone)
See the beauty of the world underwater at this museum. The shell, which is one of the rarest and most precious shells in the world is the Gloria Maris. It is 10-12 centimeters long. Only a total of 25 of these have found and two of them are in this museum.
Don’t miss out on the great finds you can take home with you at the shop, such as beautiful jewelry you can wear or give as a gift to a loved one.
Learn more about the museum here.
You can also take a virtual here.
Itching to bask in more culture in Giethoorn? Check out nearby museums:
- City Museum Steenwijk
- Hildo Krop Museum Steenwijk
- CHC Vollenhove City Museum
- Colony of Benevolence in Frederiksoord
- Museum ‘Het Gildenhuys’
- Printing Museum Meppel
- Museum Staphorst
- Radio Museum Oldemarkt
- Harmonium Museum Paasloo
Do you have any questions? Leave it in the comment section below!
