(AMSTERDAM, October 2011) "“ Het Scheepvaartmuseum, The National Maritime Museum, in Amsterdam reopened to the public on October 2nd, presenting thirteen new exhibitions in its fully renovated landmark building dating from 1656.
Highlights include replicas of the large ship East Indiaman Amsterdam and the steamship Christiaan Brunings, as well as Voyage at Sea, a virtual adventure at sea, among other exhibitions presenting 500 years of maritime history.
On the evening of Saturday, October 1, Het Scheepvaartmuseum (the National Maritime Museum) in Amsterdam hosted its Grand Opening in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
Dating from 1656, the museum building originally served as a formal Amsterdam war fleet storage building and became the home of Het Scheepvaartmuseum in 1973. Liesbeth van der Pol of Dok architects' plan was chosen for the necessary renovations of the museum, and in 2007 the extensive renovation project began.
Van der Pol's plan includes the addition of new spaces for meetings, gatherings and social events and the museum features a new restaurant 'Stalpaert' (named after the original Golden Age architect of the building), a museum shop, and patios along the water.
The crowning jewel of the museum is its dazzling courtyard ceiling made of hundreds of pieces of glass, designed by Architect Laurent Ney (NEY+Partners) who was inspired by the compass rose seen on old sea charts. The museum renovation project was completed in September 2011.
For more information about the new Scheepvaartmuseum:Â www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl
