Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem

We've lived here for a year and a half now, and sorry to say, had never been to the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem. We had been missing out on a beautiful experience!  The Museum is in what was once an orphanage, and has been there since 1913. The building, which used to be called the Oude Mannenhuis (old man's house), was founded in 1609. It was then occupied by the orphanage from 1810 till 1908.

 We made our way inside.....

We were able to use our Museumkaart for entry, saving €10 each. We have used the cards enough now that we're in 'the black' now!

As you enter, they have you go through the gift shop, which is lovely. It overlooks the hofje (a courtyard garden).

A few of the pieces of art on display:

life is short.......

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art comes in many forms....not just paintings:

It was fun to see Haarlem depicted in old paintings and be able to compare it to today's life in Haarlem! (please excuse my shadow in some of the photos, there was no way to avoid it!)

The Capture of Damietta depicted:

(taken from http://www.haarlemmarketing.co.uk/about-haarlem/history/monuments.html#anchor6596)

Grote or St. Bavokerk (St Bavo’s Church)

The biggest church in Haarlem is Grote or Sint Bavokerk in Grote Markt square. This Gothic cruciform church is a significant feature in the Haarlem cityscape. The nave was built around 1400. The tower was only finished in 1520 and is over 75 metres high. The characteristic ringing of the Damiaatjes church bells can be heard every evening and commemorates the heroic role Haarlem citizens played in the capture of the Egyptian city of Damietta in 1219. Inside the church are the famous Müller organ from 1738, which Mozart played as a young boy, and the gravestones of Frans Hals, Pieter Teyler, Pieter Jansz. Saenredam and many others. This was originally a catholic church which after the violent seizure by Protestants during the Haarlemse Beeldenstorm (Haarlem iconoclastic outbreak) became a Protestant church.

The hofje:

and the famous Haarlem artist.....Frans Hals:

Another Dutch artist....Vroom:

 What a wonderful experience it was to go through the Frans Hals Museum. I highly recommend taking the time to see it.