Psychiatry is a live topic. One in five Dutch people are affected by a mental problem. This does not mean we are any crazier than the rest of the world. We all know someone affected by depression, burnout or Alzheimer’s. Thanks to mental health care taking up a more prominent position in society, people with psychiatric problems have become a more noticeable presence in everyday life. Yet still not enough is known about psychiatry and people with psychiatric problems often face prejudice. We would like to encourage our visitors to think about the boundary between crazy and normal and question the representations of ‘madness’.

Experience the world of madness in the Dolhuys. Meet madmen and lunatics, or clients as they are known today, in our interactive museum and find out how the Netherlands has dealt with madness throughout the centuries.

A printed guide is available in German, English and French.

Entrance

Opening times

Closed on 1 January, 30 April and 25 December.

Address for visitors

Schotersingel 2, 2021 GE Haarlem.

The Dolhuys is a short distance to the north of the central station in Haarlem. There is a car park close to the station. Click here for directions.