Museum Martena is located in the most beautiful city castle of Franeker (1506). In the museum, use all your senses to take in the story of the city. Drink a cup of tea in the garden room, feel the luxurious dress of Saepke van Vervou, taste the spices in the show kitchen or admire the many talents of the first female university student of the Netherlands, Anna Maria van Schurman. Franeker was once an illustrious university town that hosted professors and students from all over Europe. In the university hall, the atmosphere of those times has been brought back. View the professors' portraits, one of the last three xylums in the Netherlands or the planetarium in miniature: the Orrery. Anna Maria van Schurman was the first seventeenth-century woman to study at the university. A beautiful hall is dedicated to her many talents. On the bel-etage you can see how the Martenastins was inhabited from the sixteenth century onward. You wander around the corridors, taste delicacies in the Pronk kitchen, have a cup of tea in the Garden Room or get to know the many Franeker faces of the Martenahuis. In the attic are the Buitenbeentjes, the Judgment of Solomon and Kooistra's Fair. Children can enjoy the carnival. Flip a coin in the vending machine and the lights come on, the rides spin and the carnival music blares through the room. Also found in the attic is the changing exhibition space. Here you can admire the work of various artists.
History & Anthropology Art & Design Local Renaissance art & Early modern art Historic house Modern art Photography
#10 Art & Design in Friesland #21 History & Anthropology in Friesland #8 Historic houses in Friesland #20 Local museums in Friesland #6 Modern art museums in Friesland #178 Art & Design in the Netherlands #116 Historic houses in the Netherlands #195 Local museums in the Netherlands #80 Modern art museums in the Netherlands #28 Photography museums in the Netherlands #41 Renaissance art & Early modern art museums in the Netherlands
Monday | 11:00 – 17:00 |
Tuesday | 11:00 – 17:00 |
Wednesday | 11:00 – 17:00 |
Thursday | 11:00 – 17:00 |
Friday | 11:00 – 17:00 |
Saturday | 11:00 – 17:00 |
Sunday | 11:00 – 17:00 |
4 – 13 | €5.00 |
14+ | €6.00 |
Rembrandtkaart | Free |
Audio tour | €2.00 |
Combikaart Kaatsmuseum Kind | €7.50 |
Combikaart Kaatsmuseum Volwassene | €10.00 |
Combikaart Planetarium Kind | €7.50 |
Combikaart Planetarium Volwassene | €10.00 |
ICOM | Free |
Museumkaart (Museum Card) | Free |
Friends of the museum | Free |
Vriendenloterij VIP kaart | Free |
Voorstraat 35, Franeker
Permanent exhibition
Oct 14, 2023 – May 25, 2024
Feb 1, 2020 – Jun 7, 2020
Nov 9, 2019 – Jan 19, 2020
Jun 22, 2019 – Oct 27, 2019
Feb 3, 2019 – Jun 10, 2019
Nov 17, 2018 – Jan 19, 2019
Feb 10, 2018 – May 13, 2018
Nov 18, 2017 – Jan 21, 2018
Museum Martena has 1 rating.
Museum Martena, located in the charming town of Franeker in the Netherlands, offers visitors an insight into the local history and culture. Housed in a beautiful 16th-century building, the museum presents a mix of art, historical artifacts, and exhibitions that reflect the rich heritage of Friesland.
The museum's collection includes paintings, silverware, and period furniture, providing a comprehensive look at the region's past. Visitors often appreciate the well-preserved interiors that give a sense of how the wealthy lived in previous centuries. The museum also highlights Franeker's academic history, including its former university.
While the museum receives praise for its content and the historic building itself, some visitors note that the information provided could be more extensive, particularly for international tourists. The lack of English translations for some exhibits can be a drawback for non-Dutch speakers.
The size of the museum is modest, which some find charming and others slightly limiting. However, this also means that it can be explored thoroughly in a reasonable amount of time, making it a good option for those with limited schedules.
Overall, Museum Martena offers a pleasant and educational experience for those interested in Dutch history and culture. Its intimate setting allows for a personal exploration of Friesland's past, though it may not have the extensive collections of larger national museums.
This rating is based on the rating of this museum on several other platforms.
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