Harderwijk is also a great place to soak up some culture. Why not visit the Harderwijk City Museum to learn about the town’s history, pop into the Marius van Dokkum Museum to see familiar and often humorous paintings, or delve into the town’s fishing heritage at the Bottermuseum and the Palingmuseum?
It’s a lovely way to pop in for a quick visit and get a better feel for the town straight away.
Old walls, new stories. Lovely Harderwijk.
Harderwijk Town Museum
At the Harderwijk City Museum, the city’s history really comes to life. The permanent exhibition Pension Harderwijk takes you on a journey through the city’s history, from the Hanseatic era to its fishing heritage and everything in between.
One of the highlights? The original Hanseatic horse. Once a recognisable symbol from the Hanseatic era, it has since become Harderwijk’s flagship attraction.
In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are regularly changing exhibitions. And handy to know: on the ground floor, you’ll always find a free exhibition. So you can always pop in for a quick look.
Marius van Dokkum Museum
At the Marius van Dokkum Museum, you step into a unique slice of history. The museum is housed in the old dissection theatre of the former University of Harderwijk, a place where anatomy lessons used to be held.
Nowadays, you can admire the recognisable and often humorous paintings of Marius van Dokkum, full of tiny details in which you’ll keep discovering something new.
Good to know: the museum has outgrown its current premises and will be moving to a new location across the street at the end of the year. So there’ll be even more space to enjoy his work.
Eel Museum
At the Eel Museum, you can immerse yourself in a quintessential aspect of Harderwijk: eel fishing. Here, you’ll discover everything about the fishermen’s lives, the smoking of eels, and the important role this craft played in the town.
What makes this museum particularly special is its focus on the future. The entrepreneur behind the museum is actively committed to sustainable eel fishing and preserving this tradition in a responsible way.
Small, but full of stories, and even more enjoyable if you pop in afterwards to try a fresh eel sandwich.
Bottermuseum
At the Botter Museum, you step back in time to experience the fishing life of yesteryear. Here, everything revolves around the botter: the distinctive wooden fishing vessels that once dominated the landscape of the Zuiderzee.
You’ll get a good sense of life on board, the work on the water and the connection between Harderwijk and the fishing industry. Outside, you’ll often see real botters moored, which brings the story to life.
A lovely place to step back in time and experience the maritime atmosphere of Harderwijk.
De Hoop Mill
At Molen De Hoop, you can experience what life was like in a working windmill in days gone by. This distinctive windmill is still in regular operation, and you can go inside with the miller to see how it all works.
Workshops are also organised, so you don’t just watch, but can get hands-on yourself. It’s a fun and accessible way to experience a slice of craftsmanship and history up close.
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The Eel Museum in Harderwijk
Harderwijk Eel MuseumThe Eel Museum is unique in the Netherlands. It offers a fascinating and educational experience for visitors of all ages. From the mysterious life of the eel to the preparation of this fine delicacy, there’s plenty to see, hear and experience!
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Harderwijk Town Museum
More about the City MuseumAt the City Museum, you can discover the rich history of Harderwijk: from a Hanseatic city to a university town, from fishing to tourism. Our exhibitions, curated by Sophie van Steenderen, focus on Dutch modern and contemporary figurative art, with an emphasis on craftsmanship.
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Marius van Dokkum Museum, Harderwijk
Marius van Dokkum MuseumThis museum, which houses the work of Marius van Dokkum, is located in the beautiful Snijcaemer in the Hortuspark in Harderwijk.
