MUSEUM HET VALKHOF

The Het Valkhof museum presents 3 permanent collections (Archaeology, Ancient Art and Modern Art) and temporary exhibitions. The building, with its remarkable architecture, was designed by Ben van Berkel, an internationally-renowned Dutch architect whose work includes the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart and the Möbius House near Amsterdam. It has been renovated and should be accessible from early 2025.

Archaeology: this exhibition brings together the finest artefacts found in Nijmegen and the province of Gelderland. It covers three periods: ancient history, Roman domination and the Middle Ages. In Roman times, Nijmegen was the most important city in the Netherlands. Excavations have unearthed a wealth of small bronze and glass objects that give an insight into the lives of Nijmegen's soldiers and inhabitants at the time. Don't miss the bronze portrait of Emperor Trajan and the silver canthar (vase) discovered at Stevensweert, a masterpiece of ancient goldsmithing. The finest finds come from tombs, such as the remains of a Frankish warrior lying between his two swords and his horse's harness.

Ancient art : paintings and silver objets d'art. The historic site of Valkhof was home to Romans, Batavians, Frankish kings and the Dukes of Gelre (Gelderland). They made Nijmegen a flourishing city. The Valkhof has also inspired many artists. The works of Jan van Goyen, who was fascinated by the town, have remained famous, in particular The view over the courtyard of Castle Valkhof, painted in 1641.

In the basement, the Treaty of Nijmegen room displays Henri Gascard's famous painting depicting the signing of the Treaty of Nijmegen between France and Spain on September 17, 1678. Louis XIV returned Maastricht and the Principality of Orange, occupied militarily by the French since 1672, to William III. Spain loses heavily, ceding Franche-Comté and numerous strongholds in Flanders and northern France to the Great Nation.

Modern art: from pop art to contemporary art. The collection, which is largely devoted to pop art, features works by artists with unbridled imagination, such as Woody van Amen and Gustave Asselbergs, the two Dutch representatives of this artistic movement born in the mid-1950s. The museum has also given pride of place to works from the 80s and 90s, such as Garouste's Le nid dans la tête and Panamerenko's Mock-up. The astonishing photos by Berend Strik and Ruud van Empel are also well worth a look.