The history of the Netherlands has been closely entwined with the sea, and the National Maritime Museum pays tribute to this heritage. Fittingly enough, it’s located not on dry land but on the water. More specifically, it’s housed on an artificial island that was created in the Amsterdam Harbor, maintaining the illusion that it is a giant house floating on the water. At the time of its construction in the 19th century, it was regarded as a modern architectural wonder.

Today, a former Naval storehouse sits on the artificial island and houses the museum’s impressive collection of maritime artifacts. Every aspect of the museum emphasizes its sea-ward gaze, from the intricate crisscrossing lines on the courtyard’s glass roof that were inspired by the compass rose on nautical maps, to the painstakingly curated collection of maps that date back all the way to 17th century cartographers. One can almost smell the salt in the air, and the nostalgic atmosphere as the museum recollects the Golden Age of the Netherlands’ sea-going history. If you’ve ever harbored a secret desire to travel the seas, take a trip down to this museum to satisfy it.