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Museum · Haarlem, Holanda Setentrional
Frans Hals Museum
Haarlem's art museum, housed in a 17th-century almshouse, with more than a dozen paintings by Frans Hals, including the large militia portraits.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Frans Hals Museum
The Frans Hals Museum is the city's art museum. It was founded in 1862 and has occupied a former 17th-century almshouse on Groot Heiligland since 1913, with rooms around a courtyard. The collection began to be formed in 1581, when the city came into possession of the works from the Catholic convents after the Reformation.
The museum holds more than a dozen paintings by Frans Hals, a 17th-century painter who lived and worked in Haarlem. The best known are the large group portraits of the city's militias (schutterijen) and the regents of charitable institutions, with life-size figures.
Besides Hals, there are Haarlem painters of the same period, such as Johannes Verspronck and Judith Leyster, and modern and contemporary art. The old building, with the almshouse rooms and the inner garden, is part of the visit.
The museum usually opens Tuesday to Sunday and organises temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Check what's on.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1.5 to 2 hours.
Best time
Either right at opening or late in the afternoon, when there are fewer groups. The museum usually closes on Mondays; check opening hours and exhibitions before you go.
How to get there
It is on Groot Heiligland, about a five-minute walk from the Grote Markt and roughly 15 minutes on foot from Haarlem station.
Tip
Start with the militia portrait rooms, which are the core of the collection, and allow time for the inner courtyard. Combine it with the Grote of Sint-Bavokerk, where Hals is buried.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Frans Hals Museum
How many paintings by Frans Hals are in the museum?
More than a dozen, including the large group portraits of the militias and the regents of Haarlem.
Is the museum open on Mondays?
It usually closes on Mondays, except on some public holidays. Check before you go.
Do you need to buy tickets in advance?
You can buy tickets on the spot, but during major exhibitions it's worth purchasing in advance on the official website.