Tucked discreetly away in a non-descript narrow st...

Tucked discreetly away in a non-descript narrow street of Amsterdam's Jordaan district, this amazing library/museum is cloaked in the inconspicuous, low-key charm of the neighborhood; small stores and flats shoulder to shoulder. Without the small brass panel near the door, this gem of a library would be nearly impossible to find..perhaps destiny seeks those who eventually find this space.

This magical journey begins with a press of the buzzer and the automatic door opening to this treasure trove of ancient illuminated, theosophical/philosophical and alchemical texts. This collection represents the life-long passion of Mr. Joost Ritman a local businessman and Rosicrucian. It is truly a national treasure, in my opinion on par with the Rembrandts of the nearby Rijksmuseum.

So who might find this museum intriguing? In my case, my interest in Carl Jung's idea of the 'Collective Sub-conscious' and the ancient symbols, archetypes and metaphors common to us all. For others perhaps an interest in ancient illuminated, 16th, 17th, 18th century texts. Indeed European History of Philosophy aficionados. Those with an interest in Dan Brown's books or Umberto Eco novels might find the library particularly intriguing.

On the other hand, this library is in my opinion not for large groups wishing to tick the box on places visited in Amsterdam. There are indeed plenty of museums to accommodate such groups.

I'm an American who's lived in Amsterdam for nearly 13 years and only recently discovered the Ritman. An exceptional find!