Welcome to Museum Catharijnecovent, where you can take knowledge of the present and past of Christianity in the Netherlands. Come to Utrecht and experience this fascinating history in a beautiful medieval monastery.
Work in progress on climate control system
Until 30 May, work will be taking place on the museum's climate control system, under the supervision of the Government Buildings Agency (RGD). During this time, the museum will remain open to the public. Special activities are planned, and visitors will receive a reduced admission rate. While the work is in progress, the monastery building will not be open to the public. Dozens of highlights from the museum's collection that are normally exhibited in the monastery will be on temporary display in the Introduction Area. The Treasure Chamber and the gallery for the permanent exhibition Celebrations! will remain open.
The permanent collection
The permanent collection of Museum Catharijneconvent comprises unique historical and art-historical exhibits ranging from the early mediaeval period to the 21st Century. This collection offers an insight into the Christian art and cultural history of the Netherlands and its influence on Dutch society.
It includes richly illuminated manuscripts, jewelled book bindings, richly decorated images, unique paintings, altar pieces, ecclesiastical vestments and artefacts of gold and silver. Dutch art from the Golden Age of the 16th and 17th centuries is represented by Jan van Scorel, Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Pieter Saenredam. Of more recent vintage are works by Jan Toorop, Shinkichi Tajiri and Marc Mulders. The Museum Catharijneconvent collection contains both Protestant and Catholic artefacts, making it unique in the world.
Publication
In the museumshop we present an English catalogue with highlights of the permanent collection:
Christianity in the Netherlands. Highlights of the Museum Catharijneconvent.
Saskia van Haaren, Babette Hellemans, Jeroen Koch, Tanja Kootte, Janneke Raaijmakers, Joost de Wal, Guus van den Hout (preface)
ISBN 904008175 1 (Dutch), ISBN 904008223 5 (English), 112 p.
€ 14,95
Current exhibitions
We highly recommend you to visit:
• Celebrations! Find out what they're all about (permanent)
• LINGAM. 122 contemporary fertility symbols (17 January - 14 March 2010)
Future exhibitions
• Gold (13 June 2010 - 6 January 2011)
The history of the museum
Museum Catharijneconvent has a long and colourful history. Originally built in the 16th century as a monastery for members of the Order of the Knights of St. John, it was named after Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The monastery's infirmary eventually became Utrecht's first teaching hospital while the Catharijneconvent was subsequently used for a wide variety of purposes.
Having provided accommodation for the military, and for student fencing and acrobatics clubs, it was used for many years as a school gymnasium and has housed a number of museums. After a complete refurbishment, the current Museum Catharijneconvent was officially opened by the then Queen Juliana on June 9, 1979.