World Museum

Wereldmuseum Amsterdam: world cultures in a historic building The impressive former Tropical Institute in Amsterdam-East is home to the Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, part of the wider Wereldmuseum network with branches in Rotterdam, Leiden and Nijmegen. The museum tells the stories of people from all over the world, ranging from colonial history to contemporary art and culture from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. There are currently three special exhibitions on display: ‘Made in China’, exploring China’s role in the global manufacturing industry; ‘Our Colonial Legacy’, examining Dutch colonial history and its lasting impact; and work by the Palestinian-Danish artist Larissa Sansour. Every Sunday there is a ‘Sunday Celebration’ with special activities centred around a cultural theme, ranging from Japanese Children’s Day to Keti Koti. Free guided tours are regularly available, as is a free audio tour. For children, there is Wereldmuseum Junior, a treasure hunt designed especially for the little ones. The museum is easily accessible by tram and is also ideal for school trips and larger groups. A rich, multifaceted and surprisingly topical museum that shows you more of the world than you might expect.