National Museum of Antiquities, History museum in Leiden, Netherlands
The National Museum of Antiquities is a history museum in Leiden focused on ancient cultures, displaying collections from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Near East across several galleries. The halls are filled with sarcophagi, sculptures, pottery, and everyday objects that span thousands of years.
The museum was founded in 1818 to preserve and display the ancient collections held by Leiden University. Over time it grew into one of the region's most important centers for archaeological research and education.
The Egyptian and Greek objects on display reveal how craftsmanship and religious beliefs shaped daily life in ancient times. Walking through these galleries, you can sense the values and skills that mattered most to people then.
The buildings are centrally located in Leiden and easily reached by public transport. Plan for at least two hours to comfortably explore the main galleries at a relaxed pace.
The museum holds rare Egyptian papyri and burial objects that reveal how detailed ancient Egyptians were in documenting their beliefs about the afterlife. These scrolls and artifacts are among the most valuable records of daily spiritual practices in antiquity.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
