Rijksmuseum Boerhaave is a museum of the history of science and medicine in Leiden, the Netherlands. It is named after Herman Boerhaave, a famous Dutch physician and botanist who taught at Leiden University in the 18th century. The museum displays a collection of scientific instruments, books, documents, and specimens that illustrate the development of science and medicine from the 16th century to the present day. Some of the highlights include an original microscope by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, a replica of the first pendulum clock by Christiaan Huygens, a human anatomy theater from the 17th century, and a DNA model by James Watson and Francis Crick.
The ticket price for Rijksmuseum Boerhaave is 12.50 euros for adults, 7.50 euros for students and children aged 4 to 17, and free for children under 4. There are also discounts for groups of 10 or more people, and for holders of certain cards such as Museumkaart, ICOM, or Rembrandtkaart. You can buy tickets online or at the museum entrance.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00. It is closed on Mondays and on some public holidays such as New Year’s Day, King’s Day, and Christmas Day. You can check the website for the latest information on opening hours and special events.
The museum is located in the historical center of Leiden, near the Rapenburg canal. You can easily reach it by public transport or by bike. The nearest train station is Leiden Centraal, which is about 15 minutes walk from the museum. There are also several bus lines that stop near the museum, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. You can use the website 9292.nl to plan your journey. If you come by car, you can park at the Haagweg parking lot or at the Morspoort parking garage, which are both about 10 minutes walk from the museum.
Some tips for visiting Rijksmuseum Boerhaave are:
- Book your tickets online in advance to avoid queues and save time.
- Download the free app Rijksmuseum Boerhaave Tour to get audio guides and interactive games for your visit.
- Join one of the guided tours that are offered daily at 11:00 and 14:00. They last about an hour and cost 3 euros per person. You can also book a private tour for your group or family.
- Visit the museum shop to buy souvenirs, books, or scientific gadgets.
- Enjoy a coffee or a snack at the museum cafe or at one of the nearby restaurants.
Some of the things you should not miss at Rijksmuseum Boerhaave are:
- The Anatomical Theatre: a reconstruction of a 17th century theater where human dissections were performed for medical students and curious spectators.
- The Cabinet of Physics: a room full of interactive experiments that demonstrate various physical phenomena such as electricity, magnetism, optics, and sound.
- The Nobel Prize Gallery: a display of objects and stories related to Dutch Nobel laureates in physics, chemistry, medicine, and peace.
- The DNA Lab: a hands-on activity where you can extract DNA from strawberries and learn about genetics and biotechnology.
Some of the prohibitions at Rijksmuseum Boerhaave are:
- No photography or filming inside the museum without permission.
- No smoking or vaping inside or outside the museum.
- No eating or drinking inside the museum except in designated areas.
- No touching or damaging any of the exhibits or displays.
- No pets allowed inside the museum except for guide dogs.
