The Golden Age marked both an economic climax in Dutch history and a cultural one. Many of the works of art that date from around the same time as the canal ring are to be found in the imposing edifice on the opposite side of the road and the water.

This is the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ largest museum. Its collection contains many famous works and you can see many paintings by the Dutch masters of the Golden Age, including Rembrandt van Rijn’s Night Watch, Johannes Vermeer’s Milkmaid and many others. Beyond the Rijksmuseum, there is the large expanse of park, the Museumplein, which features the Stedelijk Museum and the Van Gogh Museum.

The Rijksmuseum was closed to the public for ten years while this magnificent building underwent a drastic renovation. Work has been done on the entire exterior, the entrance and the walkway under the building, and the interior has a completely new look. The ‘new’ Rijksmuseum was opened by Queen Beatrix in early 2013, an occasion celebrated with fireworks and a big party. If you want to see an impression of this festive occasion, watch the video.

If you are wondering what the renovated building and Museumplein beyond look like now, just cross the road and follow the walkway under the building.