The Multatuli Museum in Amsterdam is set in the birthplace of Eduard Douwes Dekker, the Dutch writer known as Multatuli. You can learn about his work and personal life in the small historic house where he was born.
- Location: Korsjespoortsteeg 20, 1015 AR Amsterdam
- Regular opening hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 12:00–17:00
- Admission: €7 for adults; €3.50 for individual students; free for children
Who was Multatuli?
Multatuli was the pen name of Eduard Douwes Dekker, a Dutch writer born in Amsterdam on 2 March 1820. The museum stands in the house where he was born.
His best-known book, Max Havelaar, was published in 1860. It addressed abuses and exploitation in the Dutch East Indies. The museum presents the writer’s work and personal life alongside the history of the Netherlands and Indonesia during his time.
The collection includes his work space, furniture, books, personal belongings, utensils and examples of his writing. You can take a guided tour or spend time studying the library.
Where is the Multatuli Museum?
The Multatuli Museum is at Korsjespoortsteeg 20, 1015 AR Amsterdam, in a small 17th-century national monument. The address is also the birthplace of Dekker.
Hotel Schroder offers a one-star stay about a 9-minute walk from the museum. The house’s historic character is part of its setting, but it also affects access inside.
How do you plan a visit to the Multatuli Museum?
The museum’s regular opening hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00. Admission is €7 for adults, €3.50 for individual students and free for children. Museumkaart and ICOM holders, as well as Stadspas holders with the blue diamond, are admitted free.
School-class admission is €6 per student and can also be arranged through CJP. Groups of 10 or more are asked to reserve a date and time. Opening hours and prices can change, so check the official site before you go.
Plan for limited physical access: the museum describes the building as poorly or almost not accessible for visitors with mobility disabilities. A narrow, steep spiral staircase leads to the room displaying Multatuli’s personal belongings. There is no wheelchair-accessible entrance, lift or accessible restroom, and no special facilities for blind or partially sighted visitors or for deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors.
For questions about a visit, contact the museum at info@multatuli-museum.nl or +31 20 6381938.
What can you combine with a museum visit?
If you’re planning a broader literary or cultural itinerary, the Amsterdam Tulip Museum visit guide covers another Amsterdam museum.
The nearby Multatuli statue is on the Torensluis over the Singel canal; it was unveiled in 1987.
For a neighbourhood walk, the Chinatown Amsterdam walking guide offers a separate route to consider.
FAQs
What is the Multatuli Museum about?
It introduces Multatuli’s writing and personal life, as well as the history of the Netherlands and Indonesia during his time.
Can you see Multatuli’s personal belongings?
Yes. The collection includes personal belongings, shown in a room reached by a narrow, steep spiral staircase.
Is the museum accessible to wheelchair users?
The museum does not have a wheelchair-accessible entrance, lift or accessible restroom. It describes the building as poorly or almost not accessible for visitors with physical mobility disabilities.