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Ancient formulas, cryptic images, and the quest that consumed centuries.
“From remote antiquity, and through successive intervals in the higher spheres of mind, the tradition of an Art has circulated; but so enigmatical as to evade vulgar apprehension entirely and baffle the most acute.”
– Mary Anne Atwood, A Suggestive Inquiry in the Hermetic Mystery, 1850, p.1.
So wrote Mary Anne Atwood in 1850, and the enigma has only deepened since.
On this tour, one of our researchers will guide you through the pages of our most ancient alchemical books and manuscripts. You will encounter symbols that puzzle, narratives that illuminate, and images that have fascinated scholars for generations. Alchemy was never just about turning lead into gold. What the alchemists were truly after, and how they encoded that pursuit in art and text, is a story best understood with the primary sources open before you.
Dates & Times
Friday
,
15:30
-
16:30
Languages
English
Prices & Admission
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Frequently Asked Questions
Curious minds ask good questions. Find answers to the most frequently asked ones below.
How do I book a tour?
Click on the tour you like and buy a ticket online. Tours must be booked in advance.
Do I need a museum admission ticket as well as a tour ticket?
All tour prices include museum admission.
Can I cancel, reschedule, or get a refund on my tour ticket?
Ticket cancellations or refunds are not available, but you can reschedule your tour.
You can easily change the date of your ticket(s) yourself via the ticket support page up to 24 hours before your visit. You cannot reschedule by email or phone.
Can I arrange a custom, group or private tour?
Yes. Private tours are available for personal or corporate groups. To arrange a tour, please use our contact form.
Are there discounts for groups, students, or members?
Discounted museum entrance is available for students, youth, and Stadspas holders. Tour pricing is the same for all visitors– a discount may apply for groups on request.
For membership benefits, please visit the membership page.
What languages are tours available in?
Tours are conducted in English by default. If the guide and all participants speak Dutch, the tour may switch to Dutch.
More Tours
We offer several guided tours and a free audio-tour. In addition to a ticket for the tour you also need to have a valid admission ticket to the museum.
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Become part of a living community dedicated to free inquiry and the extraordinary legacy of the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica.
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