Temporary exhibitions
Take a look at the temporary exhibitions of the Museum of the Canals below.
Herengracht 10-18 corner Keizersgracht before and after restoration City Archives Amsterdam
Trail of destruction through the Nieuwmarkt neighborhood: route of the four-lane highway and of the East Line of the metro, aerial photo of the municipality of Amsterdam from 1977, photo by G. Jaeger,
Collection Nieuwe Instituut/ BOSC, f69
Building plan Herenstraat 10-18c, 1967/69, Stadsherstel, Property Archive
Exhibition Amsterdam, Almost Demolished
A modern city of glass and steel
Just imagine: the canal houses, narrow streets and squares of Amsterdam’s city centre replaced by a modern city of glass and steel. In the 20th century, this scenario very nearly became reality. And not without reason: the city centre was in a state of decay at that time. There were plans to replace old neighbourhoods with modern districts, complete with wide motorways and large office buildings. The Grachtenmuseum at Herengracht 386, for instance, would not exist today if all proposed traffic breakthroughs had gone ahead.
Taking action
Fortunately, things turned out differently. The people of Amsterdam took action; local residents, artists and heritage enthusiasts fought throughout the 20th century to preserve their city. This exhibition guides you through the story of imminent demolition, fierce protests and, ultimately, complete restoration. Discover how Amsterdammers saved their city, and why we can still enjoy it every day. The exhibition also presents never-before-seen archival photos, special drawings, maps and protest posters.
In-depth story
The exhibition was created in collaboration with the Vereniging Vrienden van de Amsterdamse Binnenstad. A book of the same name will be published in early 2026 and offers an expanded exploration of the stories featured in the exhibition.
Animalia Amsterdam: Pet Portraits
Looking at her photos, you’d almost think that the pets are paid actors. But this is all the magic touch of photographer Isabella Rozendaal. From 28 November 2025 until 29 March 2026, you can admire a selection of her work at the Green Salon of the Museum of the Canals.
Amsterdam pets in the spotlight
Commissioned by the Amsterdam City Archive in 2017, Isabella Rozendaal (Amsterdam, 1983) photographed over a hundred pet portraits across Amsterdam. This collection of portraits, containing dogs, cats, birds, horses, miniature pigs, giant snails, and other exotic animals, was published as a photo book: Animalia Amsterdam: Pet Portraits.
Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool has been publishing weekly editions of Rozendaal’s pet portraits ever since. Since the very first publication, the people of Amsterdam have been submitting their pets to be photographed, which has made this project a unique, enduring collaboration between animals, Amsterdammers, the paper, and the photographer.
Babur, Amstel – Isabella Rozendaal
Mirror Floor Installation
Step into an enchanting world! In the monumental period room of the Museum of the Canals, a remarkable mirror floor can be experienced until March 1, 2026.
Wall and ceiling paintings
The floor of the Andriessen Room, located on the bel-etage of our 17th-century canal house, is temporarily and entirely covered with mirrors. Combined with the richly decorated walls and ceiling, it feels as if you’re standing inside a visual illusion. The 18th-century wall paintings by Jurriaan Andriessen—an idyllic landscape full of romantic details—meet the modern ceiling painting Dream of harmony (2022) by French artist Pascal Amblard.
Reflecting Andriessen Room
The mirrored floor installation enhances the interplay between the artworks, creating a dizzying experience: walls, ceiling, and paintings endlessly reflect one another. In this monumental room, past and present literally merge. Find yourself at the center of a space that invites you to look, reflect, and capture the moment.
Look and Listen
Put on the special slippers, step onto the mirrored floor, and let yourself dream away. With an audio guide, you can listen to the story behind the wall and ceiling paintings, narrated by Faye Feller, known for her educational TikTok and Instagram channels.
The mirror floor installation was made possible with the support of the Zabawas Fund.
