🇳🇱 The Oldest Museum in the Netherlands: Teylers Museum

Nestled in Haarlem, the Teylers Museum (est. 1784) holds the title of the oldest museum in the Netherlands! 🏛️✨ The iconic Oval Hall (pictured) remains untouched since its founding, still displaying an impressive collection of minerals and fossils. 🔬 A Hub of Science & Art Originally established as an institute for art and scientific research, it functioned as both a laboratory and workshop. The first director, Martinus van Marum (1750-1837), conducted groundbreaking electrostatic experiments here! He even acquired fossils like a mosasaur and a human testis fossil (yes, really!) for future study. 🦖 Fossil Treasures Houses four Archaeopteryx fossils (one sold to London’s Natural History Museum!). Rare giant ammonites, brachiopods, and dazzling minerals (amethyst, opal, malachite, diamonds). ⚠️ Note: Some labeled "im" are imitations—untrained eyes might miss the difference! 🎨 Art with a Local Twist Featuring works by Wybrand Hendriks, a Haarlem-born painter inspired by Vermeer but with his own flair. Don’t miss his "Milkmaid" reinterpretation! 🥛👩‍🎨 🧒 Fun for Kids They can join a treasure hunt (speurtocht) and earn a real fossil/mineral prize at the gift shop! 🏆 📅 Practical Info: Closed Mondays, open Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00. Admission: €15 (adults), FREE for under-3s, €2.5 (6-17), FREE with Museumkaart. No booking needed! #Netherlands #DutchMuseums #HiddenGems #Haarlem #ArtAndScience #TravelNetherlands #FossilLover