epi

I just read that much of the rijksmuseum will be closed from 03-08. We are thinking of going to amsterdam, but would like to know how much is still available. has anyone been there since the museum closure began? How much was available? Frommers talks about it a bit, but the rijksmuseum website really said nothing - or I couldn't figure out where to find the info.
I wonder if this will turn out to be amsterdam's version of the Orangerie.

epi

I am correcting myself. When I looked at the Rijksmuseum website again, the info was there. It's just that my compouter configuration has gone haywire, and half the website wasn't visible. I would still like comments from those who have visited the exhibition that has been set up in the Philips wing.

NativeNewYorker

I was there in April. They had a small section open, with only the best of the best treasures. It was fine for us, because we're not big "museum people," but it would probably be frustrating if you're really into museums. It was a little crowded, so we cruised through in about an hour. (I con't know what the Orangerie is, so I can't comment on that.)

TopMan

A lot of the "major" works are still very much on display. This includes the most famous "The Nightwatch" as well as other well-known pieces such as the "Syndics of the Drapers Guild" (AKA the 'Dutch Masters') and so forth. As I recall about 400 works are on display.

There is a museum shop up and operating as well. Plenty to see all in all and, IMO, well worth the time and money.

Check carefully on the website as it will be closed in mid-December.

isabel

I was there last year and thought to myself that I was glad only the small portion was open. They put all the best stuff in an area that can comfortably be seen in a couple of hours (which is all I ever want at one time in a museum). There is some very wonderful stuff on display so I would definitly go. It's not like it's only a couple of rooms, it's really quite a large area that is open.

PalQ

Ditto to above posts about what i could see, the so-called 'best' was about all i needed; really awesome stuff. Note that if visiting more than 3 museums the Museum Pass, at 29 euros and good for one year, is a good deal as i think Rijksmuseum about 9 or 10 euros as are Van Gogh and Stedelijk (Modern Art) and many other lesser ones such as the intriguing Amsterdam Municipal Museum, Rembrandt's House, the Tropppen Museum (showcasing third-world culture through exact reproductions of things like stores and dwellings in many third-world counries, and dozens throughout Holland. Note that the Stedelijk, Modern Art museum, whose eclectic collection will not appease everyone's taste is totally closed for renovation but has taken over a few floors of the former Post Office tower near Centraal train station, again showing its best works plus its most avant-garde. buy Museum Kaarts at the museums; no photo required.