Come visit Spinoza and…
- Learn about Spinoza’s origins, upbringing and education
- Discover why Spinoza is one of the most relevant philosophers in the world
- Visit the reconstructed book collection that Spinoza left behind
- Discover how Spinoza ground lenses in the 17th century
- Follow the birdhouse route in the garden with information on Spinoza’s ideas
- Learn about the special history of the Spinoza House
- Come face to face with various portraits of Spinoza
- Discover which world-famous guests have been here
Spinoza: a Second-Generation Immigrant
Benedictus de Spinoza (1632 – 1677) was born in Amsterdam. As the son of Jewish parents who fled from Portugal, he received a Jewish religious education. Spinoza criticized Jewish traditions and regarded the Tenach (Hebrew Bible) as a product of the human mind. When Spinoza was 23, the Jewish community excommunicated him and he was no longer allowed to have contact with his family.
Spinoza as a Beacon of Freedom and Enlightenment
In 1661, Spinoza moved to Rijnsburg. Here he first developed his ideas. He ground lenses for optical instruments, such as telescopes, and laid the foundation for his magnum opus, Ethica.
Spinoza developed a revolutionary vision of Reason (intellect), of God, and of man and his happiness. Democracy, freedom of belief and of expression are prerequisites for individual freedom, and for peace and prosperity in the state. Authorities serve the citizens over whom they govern. Worldly authority stands above ecclesiastical authority. Spinoza’s ideas form the basis of the later Enlightenment and are still extremely relevant today.
Spinoza’s Library: Unique in the World
After his death in 1677, Spinoza’s possessions were sold, including his book collection. The list of sold items was found in the Municipal Archives of The Hague in 1888 and formed the basis for the reconstruction of his library when the Vereniging Het Spinozahuis was founded in 1897. Of the approximately 160 books on the list, the Spinoza House Museum managed to find approximately 140 matching copies. An overview of the collection can be found here.
The Spinoza House
The Spinoza House Museum is located in the house where Spinoza moved in 1661, after leaving Amsterdam. The house is one of the key pieces in the Canon of Dutch history (Canon van Nederland) and is a cultural-historical gem.
In Search of the Building’s History
Over the centuries, the building has been structurally modified several times. Many traces of this are still visible. For example, the locations of former partition walls are still visible in the ceiling, and the placement of windows and a cellar indicate the previous presence of an upstairs room. There are more interesting traces indicating previous uses of the house. The house thus offers a wealth of interesting details for lovers of historical buildings.
