Music to Your Ears at Museum Speelklok, Utrecht

Museum Speelklok is an interactive, audio-visual experience for young and old alike. The museum, based in Utrecht, The Netherlands is a must-see for museum lovers and those with an appreciation for everything nostalgic.

I had heard about the beauty this museum offers from numerous friends and colleagues and, having never been to Utrecht before I decided to plan a trip there.

Utrecht is a charming student town and worth a visit, not only for Museum Speelklok, but also for the lovely canals, cafes and boutiques. This is an outdoor city through and through. And it is in fact quite unique when compared to other Dutch cities. Museum Speelklok is situated at its very heart in Steenweg.

I recommend the guided tour offered by the museum (and included in the entrance fee), which allows you to go on an interactive journey to observe and listen to some of the most beautiful musical instruments in Dutch history.

The tour starts each and every hour on the hour. And if you do not partake in the museum tour offered by Museum Speelklok you won’t be able to hear some of the most stunning instruments and see them in action since you are not allowed to play these older, precious instruments by yourself.

There is also an interactive section within the museum that allows kids and adults to explore, play and listen to instruments across the eras. You’ll have a better understanding of the functioning of instruments and how they were put together to produce different sounds.

An exhibition entitled ‘Moving Magic’ is also accessible to all who enter Museum Speelklok’s doors. This exhibition comprises 19^th century self-operating figurines in animal and human shapes. Beautiful melodies accompany intricate instrument designs for a magical, nostalgic experience.

Furthermore, you can expect to find music boxes, clocks, organs and more. Other special attributes of the museum include a fascinating museum café with self-playing piano and a unique museum shop filled with trinkets, toys and magical illusions. Find the smallest wind-up toys imaginable or larger board games to entertain children of all ages.

Lastly, the venue of Museum Speelklok is in itself particular worthy of mention. The museum is housed inside Buurkerk, or the citizens’ church, a medieval church in the centre of the city. Museum Speelklok was opened by Queen Beatrix during her reign in 1984.