Housing over 1 million objects, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is the largest museum for art and history in the Netherlands. The museum's most famous collection is that of its Dutch 17th century paintings, with 20 works by Rembrandt and many other masterpieces including Johannes Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen. The collection's must-see painting is of course 'The Nightwatch' by Rembrandt.
The building was designed by P.J.H Cuypers, who combined gothic and renaissance elements, as well as ornaments containing numerous references to Dutch history.
Between 2003 and 2013, a radical renovation took place in the museum's main building. The architectural studio Cruz y Ortiz ensured that Pierre Cuypers' clear vision would be honoured in their design. An atrium was created by breaking open the former inner courtyard; and the Pavilion, another new part of the museum, now displays Asian art.
