The Willet-Holthuysen House
Step into the past within the impressive Willet-Holthuysen House in the center of Amsterdam. This double mansion on the Herengracht contains many period rooms, spaces seemingly frozen in time. Every six months an exhibition by a contemporary maker is also held here, while the French-style garden remains a calm oasis in the midst of the bustling canal belt.
You can get your free audio tour at the entrance. The audio tour is available in Dutch, English, French and German.
Abraham and Louisa
The house takes its name from the couple who lived there in the late 19th century, Abraham Willet and Louisa Holthuysen. They collected numerous artworks and objects, while the interior was designed to suit their taste. Even then, such extravagance was regarded as reminiscent of a romantic past. For the couple, the interior was the perfect way to share their taste and wealth with others.
Upon her death in 1895, Louisa Holthuysen gave the house and collection to the city of Amsterdam, with the provision that it should be made into a museum. More than a century later, the Willet-Holthuysen House is still open to visitors. Currently, it is one of the locations of the Amsterdam Museum.
Guided tours on request
Maximum of 15 persons (2 supervisors per group for school classes)
Learn more about this special building and its residents. You hear about the life of the Willet-Holthuysen couple, but also about the daily activities of the servants. We bring the period rooms of the canal house to life and take you along the stately ballroom, the monumental staircase, the canal garden and the rich art collection of Abraham Willet. You can book group tours via boekingen@amsterdammuseum.nl.
Leading makers
Every half year, the Willet-Holthuysen House offers space to a leading maker or collector to create an exhibition. For this four edition, the Amsterdam Museum collaborates with the artist duo Sander Breure and Witte van Hulzen. On the occasion of '80 years of freedom', they present the exhibition "Friede auf Erden": Art and war at the Willet-Holthuysen House. This exhibition brings the hidden war past of the Willet-Holthuysen House to life with a new video installation, complemented by photographs, drawings and paintings.
On view from 18 April 2025 to 9 Nov 2025.
Please note: This exhibition will be spread throughout Huis Willet-Holthuysen and therefore also in some period rooms.
Grachtentuin Huis Willet-Holthuysen
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Accessibility
The Willet-Holthuysen House is located on the Herengracht. The Amsterdam canals belong to the UNESCO World Heritage. Unfortunately, the historical building is not accessible to wheelchair users and mobility scooters due to the many stairs and lack of an elevator. We are currently investigating the possibilities of making The Willet-Holthuysen House more accessible for everyone.