Europe's Oldest Public Museum, Haarlem 1784

At a Glance

Teylers Museum in Haarlem, Netherlands opened 1784 — Europe's oldest continuously operating public museum. Banker Pieter Teyler's will funded it to share art and science freely with the public.

240 Years Unchanged

The 1784 Oval Room survives intact with its glass skylight. 6,000 master drawings (Michelangelo, Raphael, Rembrandt), 2,500 minerals and 5,000 fossils remain in original cabinets.

Highlights

• 1784 Ovale Zaal, the oldest purpose-built museum hall.
• Michelangelo's Bathers sketches.
• Van Marum's 1784 electrostatic generator (still functional).
• Haarlem School paintings.

Visiting Tips

17-min train from Amsterdam Centraal. €17. 2–2.5 hours. Closed Mondays. Pair with Frans Hals Museum.