scheepvaart museum
Housed in a monumental 17th century rigging house of the Amsterdam Admiralty, the Scheepvaartmuseum (Maritime Museum) explains the history and techniques of navigation and overseas trade, which were the driving force behind the Dutch Golden Age. On display are ship models and ship parts, drawings, seascapes, and old maps. The major pieces are the 'Great Atlas, or Description of the World' by Jan Blaeu, several official documents relating to the Dutch colony of Nieuw Amsterdam (New York) and of course the full-size replica of the Amsterdam, the Dutch East India Company ship, moored outside.