Situated in The Hague in a purpose built building, the Louwman museum showcases the oldest private collection of cars in the world. It’s a must see for car lovers.
We drove past many times whilst the structure was being built, watching the site evolve from a building site to an impressive looking museum.
The owner started his collection in 1932 with the acquisition of a twenty year old Dodge. It’s now a very much older Dodge and just one of the 200 plus pieces to marvel at inside the museum.
What is quite amazing about the exhibition is the sheer variety of vehicles that has been collected over the years, from horse drawn fire engines to a Cadillac owned by Elvis Presley, and from a tandem made in 1897 to a Toyota Prius Hybrid made in 1998. It’s a stunning collection of vehicles – and that out of the mouth of a non-car fanatic.
It’s not just the cars that are a sight to behold, the building is also impressive. Michael Graves, an American architect, designed the building to mix with the beautiful surroundings and there is a sense of Dutch traditionalism and modernism at the same time.
The high ceilings and ample space for the exhibitions give a luxurious feeling as you wander around and lighting is used optimally to reflect the era of the cars of show.
The lay out of the exhibitions, and the design of the corridors, ensure that each new section of the museum stays a surprise until the last possible moment.
To top it off, the last section of the museum, which incorporates a restaurant and bar, will surely raise a smile.
You can visit the museum at:
Leidsestraatweg 57
2594 BB The Hague
Note that the museum is closed on Mondays. It is served well by public transport and has its own (underground) car park.
To find out more visit the Louwman museum website.
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