Princessehof Ceramics Museum Museum
Leeuwarden museum exhibiting ceramics and pottery collections
Located in Leeuwarden's 18th-century Princessehof, the Princessehof Ceramics Museum displays Asian and European ceramics, kiln models and contemporary pottery. Visitors come for chronological collections and exhibitions about ceramic techniques.
Princessehof Ceramics Museum at a Glance#
Address: Prinsestraat 15, 8911 DN Leeuwarden, Netherlands (Princessehof Ceramics Museum)
Website: https://princessehof.nl
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (closed Mondays)
Admission: Adult €11 (approx.; concessions available), children discounted
About Princessehof Ceramics Museum#
The Princessehof Ceramics Museum is a national museum in Leeuwarden, Friesland, dedicated to the history and art of ceramics. The museum is housed in the historic Princessehof building in the city centre and traces ceramic production and collecting across Asia and Europe.
Exhibits cover archaeological ceramics, imperial Chinese porcelain, Dutch Delftware and modern studio ceramics, presented across permanent displays and rotating temporary exhibitions. The institution runs educational programmes and hands-on activities focused on ceramic techniques and history.
The building that houses the museum dates to earlier centuries and was converted to museum use in the early 20th century; the museum established its ceramic collection and public displays in the 1910s. Over the decades the collection has expanded through acquisitions and donations to include both historical and contemporary works.
Princessehof sits in central Leeuwarden, within walking distance of the city’s canals and main squares, and is a focal cultural institution for Friesland.
- Specialisation: Founded in the early 20th century and housed in the historic Princessehof building in Leeuwarden’s centre, the museum specialises in international ceramics with a strong collection of Asian and Dutch pieces.
What to See#
- Permanent collection galleries: The main permanent galleries present a chronological and thematic survey of ceramics from East Asia, Europe and the Netherlands, with objects ranging from historic Chinese porcelain to Delftware and contemporary studio ceramics.
- Exhibition and education spaces: Temporary exhibition spaces and educational rooms that host rotating shows, workshops and ceramic demonstrations for visitors of all ages.
How to Get to Princessehof Ceramics Museum#
Located in the historic centre of Leeuwarden, a short walk from the city’s main train station. The town is well served by regional Dutch rail services; once in Leeuwarden, the Princessehof is within easy walking distance of central sights.
Tips for Visiting Princessehof Ceramics Museum#
- Go early on a weekday to see the permanent ceramics displays without school groups.
- The museum houses the 18th-century ceramic collection of Anna van Hannover - look for the Delft pieces with hand-painted scenes.
- Combine a visit with a stroll through Leeuwarden's old town to see the canal houses that once funded the collection.
Best Time to Visit Princessehof Ceramics Museum#
Open year-round; spring and summer are best for combining the museum with walking Leeuwarden's canals and festival activity.
Weather & Climate near Princessehof Ceramics Museum#
Princessehof Ceramics Museum's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (814 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 0° - 5° | -3° | 70 mm | overcast | 91% | 6.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 5° | -2° | 48 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 60 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 4° - 12° | 5° | 43 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 5.3 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Very Good | 7° - 16° | 12° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 5.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 10° - 19° | 15° | 69 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 72 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 12° - 21° | 17° | 63 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.5 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 86 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.9 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 81 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 3° | 90 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 78 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
