The Egyptian Temple of Taffeh was gifted to the Netherlands by Egypt in 1975 as a gesture of gratitude for assistance in preserving Nubian monuments.
The museum's collection originated from the private Cabinet of Antiquities of King William I.
It houses a rare, complete funerary ensemble from the period of the Middle Kingdom.
The museum holds significant evidence of Roman presence in the Netherlands, including items recovered from the Rhine riverbed.
Its library collection includes rare books and archives dating back to the 18th century.
The building features an original 17th-century interior room known as the 'Roze Zaal'.
The National Museum of Antiquities, known as the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, is the national archaeological museum of the Netherlands, located in Leiden. It serves as the primary repository for collections spanning Egyptian, Near Eastern, Greek, Roman, and early Dutch history. The museum is most distinct for housing the Egyptian Temple of Taffeh, which was dismantled and rebuilt inside a central, glass-roofed hall. The collection includes over 180,000 objects, with significant portions focused on funerary rites and daily life in antiquity. The facility occupies a historic mansion on the Rapenburg canal, which was expanded in the 20th century to accommodate its growing holdings. It maintains a large-scale collection of classical sculpture, including marble portrait busts of Roman emperors. The museum operates as a research center and actively participates in archaeological excavations globally. It provides detailed context on the evolution of civilizations through curated, thematic galleries.
The interior of the Temple of Taffeh hall offers unique architectural framing with natural light.
Visit the Temple of Taffeh hall first to avoid crowds later in the day.
Check the museum website for temporary exhibition updates as these galleries change frequently.
Use the interactive floor maps available at the entrance to navigate the multi-story layout.
Do not attempt to touch the open-display statues; security monitors are highly vigilant.
Closed on Mondays except during national school holidays.
