Visiting the Rembrandthuis With a Disability

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2011/01/18 - Updated: 2024/07/09
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Europe for Visitors - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: The Rembrandthouse shows you where Rembrandt van Rijn lived for 20 years. In a part of the museum, situated next to the old house, you can find paintings and prints from the Association of the Rembrandthuis (Stichting Rembrandthuis).

Introduction

Enter the world of a successful painter from the 17th century! The Rembrandthouse shows you where Rembrandt van Rijn lived for 20 years.

Main Item

This old house was restored in his original state just before the year 2000 and was saved from its destruction. You can now see Rembrandt's paintings and prints in his own house. His large painting room, where he taught his techniques to other painters such as Ferdinand Bol and Govert Flinck. His kitchen and his bedroom. In the new part of the museum, situated next to the old house, you can find paintings and prints from the Association of the Rembrandthuis (Stichting Rembrandthuis). The accessibility of the Rembrandthuis was assessed and is described below.

The entrance

The main entrance to the Rembrandthuis consists of old stone stairs. These are not easy to take to access the museum but there is a new entrance. Inside is a platform lift which is self-controlled (max 300 kg). The control buttons are on a height of 80 cm. The path towards the entrance is uneven at some points. The main entrance has a regular door and is 80 cm in width.

Inside

The old part of the house is hard to access as it has small stairs (3 stairways) and small corridors. Between the 3 stairways are benches to rest. The new part however is accessible without obstacles and has an elevator (90 x 130 cm) to access the new part of the building. The entrance is 90 cm and the control panel is on a height of 105 cm. There a doorway from the highest floor of the new house to the highest floor of the old part, which can be reached by elevator. Within the new building the pathways are at least 150 cm and there is enough space to move around at the corners (for people using a wheelchair).

Additional information

The toilets are accessible without any stairs or steps. This also accounts for the wheelchair accessible toilet. This toilet has an adapted washbasin, support rails next to the toilet and on the inside of the door and an active alarm system. The door opens to the outside and there is a space of 165 x 200 cm within the toilet. Next to the toilet there is space of 90 cm. The electric wheelchair can be charged, but there is strict security in the lobby to guarantee fire safety. Guide dogs are allowed inside but there are not other facilities for people with a visual disability. Audio-tours are available at the reception. It is not allowed to smoke inside.

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.