Overview

The Accompanist had been here 52 years ago and was delighted to read on the website that the Mauritshuis is now wheelchair accessible, but couldn’t figure out how this had been achieved. Both he and Wheelchair Girl were keen to see the Rembrandts and Vermeers, so checked it out. In one corner of the courtyard there’s a very unobtrusive glass lift which takes you down to a spacious foyer under the courtyard. From there, another lift gets you to the ground floor galleries. The man on the ticket counter explained that to get to the upper floor all we needed to do was to ask a gallery attendant. When we did, we were ushered into a modern lift concealed behind the original panelling and an attendant upstairs helped us out. It was free admission for the Accompanist. What’s not to like?

Transport & Parking

Can’t comment. We wheeled/walked from our hotel. There are tram and bus stops nearby. We didn’t see any disabled parking but it might be worth checking the gallery’ website.

Access

As explained above, they’ve come up with wheelchair-friendly solutions which in no way detract from this historic building. The foyer and shop are spacious, and the first two lifts were a decent size. The one behind the panelling has to be small and quite narrow, with a 90 degree turn to get in, but there was room for both Wheelchair Girl and the Accompanist. There’s a small platform lift so that you can access the only area of the shop which is up stairs. The circulating spaces in the gallery are good and all doorways wide enough for a wheelchair. Signage is good and in English as well as Dutch, and on a level appropriate for a wheelchair user.

Toilets

There’s a wheelchair accessible loo off the foyer, well signposted. There are grab rails on both sides of the toilet, with space for side transfer and an accessible washbasin. Unusually for a Dutch accessible loo (most have round the room horizontal alarm cords at skirting board height) this loo has two cords which come down from the ceiling and which ideally should be a bit longer. They are sensible positioned.

Staff

All very courteous and helpful. An attendant in the courtyard summoned the lift for us. The man on the ticket counter explained things in clear English and the attendants in the gallery were quick to help us use the concealed lift.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

A great collection of paintings mainly, but not entirely, from the Dutch Golden Age, including pictures by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Vermeer. Well worth a visit.

Photos