The Netherlands Maritime Museum (Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum) was originally built as a military depot for the Amsterdam Admiralty in 1656. Trading vessels of the East India Company came there to equip for their journeys.

Now, the building contains a number of maritime displays showing the development of both the Dutch East and West India companies. The displays include paintings, models, maps, and boats - including a replica of the VOC Amsterdam. The museum building closed for a two year long restoration project in January 2007.