Draaiorgel Museum

Hidden away in the cozy town of Haarlem, is a museum celebrating the Netherlands’ long-term love affair with barrel organs.

In 1969, an old factory was filled with barrel organs retired from their past fame in dance halls and street corners. The collection is looked after by the Het Kunkels Orgel Foundation, dedicated to keeping the barrel organ legacy alive.

Upon entry to the museum, you’re greeted by 15 beautiful barrel organs in various sizes, each with a backstory that’s as unique as their tunes. From Carl Frei’s first-ever 90-key masterpiece to the show-stopping Het Kunkels Organ, which boasts 112 keys and 14 registers. Some organs have dodged fires and gone through makeovers, while others are considered cultural treasures.

The collection is loved by visitors and locals alike. In the late 1990s, the museum was almost shut down, forcing the collection into storage. A protest by museum fans from near and far flooded the streets outside the museum, which was eventually saved from closing. Today, visitors can come see and hear the instruments for themselves.