Museum of World Cultures

Welcome to the Museum of World Cultures Leiden

Discover the Museum of World Cultures Leiden, where diverse cultures from around the world converge. The museum is part of the National Museum of World Cultures (NMVW), alongside the Museum of World Cultures Amsterdam and the Museum of World Cultures Berg en Dal. The Museum of World Cultures Leiden offers an in-depth exploration of global cultures through its rich collection and engaging exhibitions.

Collection and exhibitions

The collection of the Museum of World Cultures Leiden includes a treasure trove of objects, each telling a human story. Themes such as celebration, mourning, adornment, prayer, love, and struggle are universally illuminated, emphasizing that despite cultural differences, we are all connected as humans. While only a small portion of the collection is on display in the museum galleries, the museum's collection site offers a glimpse into nearly 450,000 objects, 260,000 photographic images, and 350,000 pieces of visual material.

History and collaboration

Established in 2017 as part of the NMVW, the Museum of World Cultures Leiden collaborates closely with other World Museums to preserve and present global cultural histories. The museum in Leiden has a specific focus on themes such as religion, indigenous lifeworlds, and their struggles for independence and historical justice.

Visitor information

The Museum of World Cultures Leiden is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. During school holidays and on certain holidays, the museum is also open on Mondays. The museum is closed on January 1st (New Year's Day), April 27th (King's Day), October 3rd (Leiden Relief Day), and December 25th (Christmas Day).

Address and accessibility

  • Visit Address: Museum of World Cultures Leiden, Steenstraat 1, 2312 BS Leiden
  • Parking: Parking is available at several nearby parking lots, including the Morspoortgarage. The museum is also easily accessible by public transport, just a five-minute walk from Leiden Central Station.

For more information and tickets, please visit the Museum of World Cultures / Museum Volkenkunde website.