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Netherlands Leiden South Holland Museum

Wereldmuseum Leiden

About

Wereldmuseum Leiden, housed in a stately 19th‑century building near the city centre, is one of the world’s oldest ethnographic museums and a leading place to explore global cultures. Formerly known as Museum Volkenkunde, it presents a rich collection of objects, artworks and stories from every continent, highlighting how people celebrate, mourn, create, worship and express identity. Its galleries are organised by world regions, featuring everything from Japanese Buddhas and African masks to intricate textiles, musical instruments and contemporary cultural expressions. The museum’s exhibitions blend historical depth with modern perspectives, encouraging visitors to reflect on the connections between past and present. With its thoughtful displays, atmospheric architecture and engaging programming, Wereldmuseum Leiden offers an inspiring journey through the diversity of human experience.

Leiden Netherlands
Wereldmuseum Leiden
Location

Wereldmuseum Leiden is located at Steenstraat 1, 2312 BS Leiden, right in the heart of the historic city centre, just a 5-minute walk from Leiden Centraal station and adjacent to the Morspoort city gate. Housed in a striking 19th-century former academic hospital overlooking the Morssingel canal, it anchors the lively Pieterswijk neighbourhood with its mix of shops and eateries. Nearby attractions include the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave science museum a block away, the National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden) along Rapenburg canal within 10 minutes on foot, the bustling Breestraat market street and Pieterskerk tower to the north, and the Morspoort parking garage plus university buildings, creating an ideal spot for blending world cultures with Leiden's scholarly and canal-lined heritage.

Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Museum Naturalis Biodiversity Center Naturalis Biodiversity Center Museum Rijksmuseum Boerhaave Rijksmuseum Boerhaave Museum Museum De Lakenhal Museum De Lakenhal Museum Japanmuseum SieboldHuis Japanmuseum SieboldHuis Museum Molenmuseum De Valk Molenmuseum De Valk Museum Hortus Botanicus Leiden Hortus Botanicus Leiden Botanical Garden Young Rembrandt Studio Young Rembrandt Studio Museum Leiden American Pilgrim Museum Leiden American Pilgrim Museum Museum Leidse Schouwburg Leidse Schouwburg Theatre Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden Theatre Theater Ins Blau Theater Ins Blau Theatre Scheltema Leiden Scheltema Leiden Theatre Burcht van Leiden Burcht van Leiden Fortress Oud Poelgeest Castle Oud Poelgeest Castle Castle Pieterskerk Leiden Pieterskerk Leiden Church Hooglandse Kerk Hooglandse Kerk Church Marekerk Marekerk Church Hartebrugkerk Hartebrugkerk Church Heilige Lodewijkkerk Heilige Lodewijkkerk Church St. Joseph Church St. Joseph Church Church Leiden City Hall Leiden City Hall City Hall Morspoort Morspoort Historical Landmark Zijlpoort Zijlpoort Historical Landmark Koornbrug Koornbrug Bridge Rembrandtplaats Rembrandtplaats Monument Van der Werfpark Van der Werfpark Park Plantsoen Plantsoen Park Polderpark Cronesteyn Polderpark Cronesteyn Park Old Observatory Leiden Old Observatory Leiden Museum