Take a look

The National Prison Museum depicts crime and punishment through the centuries. See what punishments were meted out and what a penitentiary looked like.

Exhibition
There is plenty of new material to see in the National Prison Museum…

The National Prison Museum depicts crime and punishment through the centuries. See what punishments were meted out and what a penitentiary looked like.

Exhibition
There is plenty of new material to see in the National Prison Museum this spring. Not only can you immerse yourself in the history of the Dutch criminal justice system at the new permanent exhibition in the National Prison Museum, you can also learn the unique history of Veenhuizen. Discover all the stories about Veenhuizen: the penal colony, pauper’s paradise and prison village. For example, did you know that orphans travelled for days to reach Veenhuizen?

Learn all about the history of crime and punishment through the centuries in the National Prison Museum. Discover what punishments were meted out and what a penitentiary looked like. A selection of photos and films introduce you to the prison of today.

So much to experience
There is so much to do at the interactive National Prison Museum. Take a ride in a real prisoner bus or pretend you are a judge. Have you ever been inside a cell? You can do all this and more at the National Prison Museum.

Young children can follow the Lange Leo children’s route through the museum with their (grand) parents. Older children (from 7 to 12 years) can go on the exciting 'Curse of Veenhuizen' hunt.

De Rode Pannen prison and the Prisoner Bus
A guide will show you De Rode Pannen, a real correctional facility. Experience for yourself what it’s like to be behind bars. See the imposing solitary confinement section and the yard.

On Wednesday and Sunday afternoons and during school holidays, you can take a ride in a genuine prisoner bus, which was used to transport tens of thousands of convicts between their living and working quarters.

Overnight accommodation
You can spend the night in the National Prison Museum too: not in a cold cell with bread and water, but in a former prison guard’s cottage. These have been converted into stylish holiday homes. See www.vakantieveenhuizen.nl. for availability and reservations.