Sorry, this event has ended
continuous

Make your own beak mask!

Contact

RIjksmuseum Boerhaave
Lange Sint Agnietenstraat 10
Leiden
Plan your route

You have probably heard of the plague. This was a very contagious disease that used to bother people a lot. The disease was so dangerous that the doctors had to wear special clothes.

Doctors wearing those special clothes were called plague doctors.
They wore a strange mask with glass in front of their eyes and a large beak.
In this beak you could put special herbs that could protect you.
The masks became very famous and later even inspired Italian carnival masks!
At Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, you can make one yourself this holiday season. Does yours have glasses on, is it creepy or just beautifully decorated?

Location