We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers: Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Municipal Museum of Leiden (Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal ), Leiden

All 23 Leiden Attractions »

Municipal Museum of Leiden (Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal )

Oude Singel 28-32, Leiden 2312 RA, The Netherlands
31 (0)71 5165360
Website
Update attraction details
Museum De Lakenhal - front
9 visitor photos
Ranked #7 of 17 attractions in Leiden
4.5 of 5 stars 26 Reviews
Type: Art Museums, History Museums
Activities: City walk sightseeing
Owner description: Museum De Lakenhal is the museum for the arts, crafts and history of the city of Leiden (NL). Since 1874 it has been housed in the Laecken-Halle... more » Owner description: Museum De Lakenhal is the museum for the arts, crafts and history of the city of Leiden (NL). Since 1874 it has been housed in the Laecken-Halle (cloth hall), a 17th century city palace that once was the bustling centre of Leiden's cloth trade. Highlights of the collection are works by old masters such as Lucas van Leyden, Rembrandt and Jan Steen, but also works by contemporary artists such as Theo van Doesburg, Jan Wolkers and Erwin Olaf. The museum depicts the history of Leiden as from the relief of Leiden on 3 October 1574. Museum De Lakenhal features a wealth of beautiful period rooms and interior decorations. The original building was constructed in 1641 by architect Arent van 's-Gravensande and is one of the finest exeamples of Dutch Classicism. « less
Write a Review

26 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    10
    13
    3
    0
    0
Date Rating
Jerusalem
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
“Great museum”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 January 2013

I really enjoyed this museum. It wasn't too big that you lose interest and there are some great works there. It's also a beautiful place!!!!

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 2 more reviews by JT B for Leiden
Lakenhal, Public Relations Manager at Municipal Museum of Leiden (Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal ), responded to this review
28 January 2013

Thank you JT B! More

Maastricht, The Netherlands
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“clear history”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 December 2012

Who wants to understand Holland's history must visit this museum! Impressive video display on the liberation of the city by the Geuzen (16th century freedom fighters) and their clever use of the waters...

Was this review helpful? Yes
Park City, Utah
Senior Contributor
48 reviews 48 reviews
27 attraction reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
“Excellent Art Museum!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 December 2012

If you love Dutch Art (renaissance and Golden Age) don't miss this museum. Not a huge collection but what they have is excellent. The temporary exhibit was somewhat distracting (I wanted to focus on the permanent collection) but one could see a very professional and highly artistic effort in the temporary exhibit (if I had alotted more time, I would... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by lydjoseph for Leiden
Lakenhal, Public Relations Manager at Municipal Museum of Leiden (Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal ), responded to this review
10 December 2012

Dear lydjoseph, Thank you very much for the engaged review you wrote. We're glad the permanent collection of Museum De Lakenhal was able to live up to the standards and are aware of the experimental style of the temporary exhibition PEARLS in the arts, nature & dance. We do our best to show our visitors more of the glorious past... More

Terneuzen, The Netherlands
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Nice museum. Beautiful paintings.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 September 2012

Good collection of paintings (Rembrandt, Lievens, Steen....). Good overview of the history of this building an Leiden in general. I did not like the temporary exhibition (PARELEN). I did not see the connection between the normal collection and the temporary exhibition.

Was this review helpful? Yes
Lakenhal, Public Relations Manager at Municipal Museum of Leiden (Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal ), responded to this review
27 September 2012

Dear Miesie, Thank you for your review! I'm sorry you didn't like PARELEN very much. It might also not have been Rembrandt's cup of tea.. We are aware that it is a very experimental exhibition. The fact that PARELEN is everywhere in the museum and the overwhelming sensory experience (music, smell of spices, art, dance, etc.) are supposed to bring... More

holland
Top Contributor
55 reviews 55 reviews
20 attraction reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
“So much to see”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 August 2012

Experience Leiden in the old days. Beautiful pictures and stories about Leiden in the past. Take enough time to see it and enjoy everything they have to offer,

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by dutchmanHolland for Leiden
Utrecht, The Netherlands
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
23 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
32 helpful votes 32 helpful votes
“A very good museum showing much of the interesting past of the city of Leiden”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 July 2012

For me it was for the first time that I went to this museum, I didn't really know what to expect as the reviews were a bit mixed, but I have to say, this is the best city museum I have ever seen!. During the a period from the middle of the 15th century till the end of the 18th... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 3 more reviews by jk_utrecht_1978 for Leiden
Lakenhal, Public Relations Manager at Municipal Museum of Leiden (Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal ), responded to this review
27 September 2012

Thank you so much for your great review! We are very proud that we are able to communicate the beauty, arts and history of the city of Leiden so well. We have many ambitions for the future, so keep an eye on us. Best regards, Milou van Oene Communication Department Museum De Lakenhal More

Truro, Cornwall
Top Contributor
60 reviews 60 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“A pot pourri experience”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 June 2012

The Lakenhal crams a lot of different art experiences in to its rooms and frankly some were not to my taste, but there's enough there to keep any broad-minded person happy. There is some early Rembrandt and a couple of excellent paintings by Dou. The history of the Lakenhal itself is worth reading and the hall itself is one big... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 8 more reviews by CrinklyTraveller for Leiden
New Jersey
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
“Lovely small museum”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2012

They have a particularly good historical display which explains the importance of Leiden in 16th century battling the Spanish, as well as the not-to-be-missed reliquary of the Loaf of Bread turned into a stone!

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 3 more reviews by HE_Low for Leiden
London, United Kingdom
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Old Masters in a beautiful building”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 April 2012

We went to see paintings, but ended up speechless at the beauty and interest of the building itself. The information of local industry and history added greatly to our understanding of this pretty medieval town....Go first so that you may better appreciate it when you walk the cobbles.

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 4 more reviews by Lizzy16_12 for Leiden
Chicago, Illinois
Senior Contributor
47 reviews 47 reviews
19 attraction reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
“a lovely place to visit in Leiden”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 April 2012

This museum is worth a couple of visits, first for its art collection, and second for the history of the building itself.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 9 more reviews by Edam231 for Leiden

Travellers who viewed Municipal Museum of Leiden (Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal ) also viewed

De Burcht Leiden Castle
De Burcht Leiden Castle
4.5 of 5 stars 31 Reviews
Leiden, South Holland Province
National Museum of Ethnology (Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde)
National Museum of Ethnology (Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde)
4.5 of 5 stars 29 Reviews
Leiden, South Holland Province
 
Rijn (Rhine)
Rijn (Rhine)
5 of 5 stars 17 Reviews
Leiden, South Holland Province
National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden)
National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden)
4.5 of 5 stars 50 Reviews
Leiden, South Holland Province
 
All things to do in Leiden (23)

Been to Municipal Museum of Leiden (Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal )? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Municipal Museum of Leiden (Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal ), register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing

Hotels travellers are raving about...

All hotels in Leiden (10)

Browse nearby

Attractions (23) | Hotels (10) | Restaurants (134)
Municipal Museum of Leiden (Stedelijk Museum De Lakenhal )
Oude Singel 28-32
Leiden 2312 RA
The Netherlands
Get Directions
What's Nearby:
Click map pins for more information.
Interactive map
Which Leiden hotels are on sale?
Enter dates 1 night 2 nights
See hotels
Free Guide to Leiden
Get your guide to the top local hotels, restaurants and things to do

Popular Leiden attractions

Hotels around Leiden

Leiden resources

Explore the world
Sightseeing
Hotels