until 3 January 2027

Monsters and mythical creatures

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Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
Rapenburg 28
2311 EW Leiden
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Read more about the exhibition

Gruesome or awesome? Creepy or funny? This exhibition brings you face to face with the coolest monsters and mythical creatures from ancient times. A giant snake, men with fish-bodies, a woman with snakes as hair, and a winged horse: each has its own story and special superpower.

A hundred years ago, great panic broke out in the museum. One night, the stone statues of monsters and mythical creatures suddenly came to life! Wings flapped through the air, sharp teeth glinted, huge feet made the ground tremble, and snake-tails slithered between the display cases. What a nightmare!

The museum director decided to take drastic action: the gallery was closed and the doorway was bricked up. Years passed, and gradually everyone forgot what had happened. Until the other day, when builders accidentally knocked down the wall to the secret monster gallery. The creatures are still hidden in there… Do you dare go inside?

Tasks and games

As you can well imagine, after bein…

A hundred years ago, great panic broke out in the museum. One night, the stone statues of monsters and mythical creatures suddenly came to life! Wings flapped through the air, sharp teeth glinted, huge feet made the ground tremble, and snake-tails slithered between the display cases. What a nightmare!

The museum director decided to take drastic action: the gallery was closed and the doorway was bricked up. Years passed, and gradually everyone forgot what had happened. Until the other day, when builders accidentally knocked down the wall to the secret monster gallery. The creatures are still hidden in there… Do you dare go inside?

Tasks and games

As you can well imagine, after being hidden away for a hundred years, the mythical creatures are a bit bored and grumpy. Can you cheer them up again? Solve puzzles, crack riddles, and complete exciting tasks to help the monsters and mythical creatures. Weigh your heart on Ammit’s scales, peer through the Cyclops’ giant eye, and help Anzu to find the secret tablet.

Monsters and mythical creatures

Tales from ancient times (myths) feature many extraordinary creatures. They guard secret places, offer magical help, and some also endanger the world. Many of the stories are about more ‘boring’ heroes, who find cunning ways to trick the mythical creatures. But in this exhibition you’ll get to know the creatures themselves: who are they, what are their powers, and what makes them happy?

Illustrations and stories

Illustrator Alice Hoogstad captured the monsters and mythical creatures in ten beautiful hand-drawn portraits. Author Clinty Thuijls wrote modern stories about the ancient creatures especially for this exhibition. She shows that they’re more like us than you might think.

Practical information

  • This activity adventure is for families with children aged 7 and over. There is a special pre-school activity map for children aged 4 and over.
  • The stamp-card and activity map are available free of charge at the museum entrance.
  • Children aged 18 and under can visit the museum free of charge.
  • Extra children’s activities are held in the school holidays.

When

  • Daily until january 3rd, 2027 from 10:00 to 17:00

Prices

  • €14.00

Location