Hermitage Amsterdam, Amsterdam

The historical ties between Amsterdam and Saint Petersburg, Russia, can be traced back to the late 1600s when Tsar Peter the Great sought assistance from the Dutch in constructing his new city, strategically positioned at the gateway to the Baltic Sea and Europe. A more recent illustration of this connection is the establishment of the Hermitage Museum's satellite branch on the banks of Amsterdam's Amstel River, offering a taste of Russia to those unable to travel there.

Inaugurated in 2009 with the presence of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Dmitry Medvedev, the President of Russia, this museum boasts an expansive exhibition space spanning over 20,000 square feet. With a vast collection of over three million artifacts affiliated with its parent institution, Hermitage Amsterdam enjoys a wealth of options for its rotating exhibitions. During your visit, you might have the opportunity to view masterpieces by renowned artists like Rembrandt or da Vinci.

The "Treasures" exhibition, available in Dutch and English audio guides, typically takes approximately 60 minutes to explore and presents Hermitage masterpieces in a chronological sequence. Additionally, other ongoing exhibitions include the Portrait Gallery of the Dutch Golden Age, showcasing over 30 large-scale portrait works, and a current Outsider Art exhibition featuring sculptures displayed in the building's courtyard.

For those interested, Hermitage Amsterdam offers a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs and a tranquil café to relax in, much like other museums.