History
The history of desire and sexuality
From ancient fertility symbols to modern freedom. Explore how desire, sexuality, art and culture have evolved throughout human history.
START THE JOURNEY
Prehistory
Before 5000 BCE
Before words
Long before language, our ancestors carved symbols of fertility, love and life. These ancient objects speak of a timeless truth: sexuality has always been part of being human.
Before
5000 BCE
Ancient worlds
5000 BCE / 1500 CE
Gods, lovers
& myths
Across Egypt, Greece and Rome, sexuality was honoured in art, myth and daily life. Temples celebrated fertility, love stories inspired poets, and desire was woven into culture.
5000 BCE
1500 CE
Hidden in plain sight
1500 CE / 1800 CE
Shame, silence
& secrets
With shifting beliefs came repression. Desire was
pushed behind closed doors, yet it found ways to survive in secret art, coded books and private collections.
1500 CE
1800 CE
The private revolution
1800 CE / 1980s
From taboo
to curiosity
The world began to open up. Science, psychology and liberation movements challenged old taboos and sparked a new curiosity about pleasure and identity.
1800 CE
1980s
Our story
1980s / Today
A museum
for everyone
In Amsterdam, a bold idea became reality. The Sexmuseum opened its doors to celebrate sexuality in all its forms: educating, inspiring and inviting everyone to explore without shame.
1980s
Today
Continue the story
Continue the story
Step inside the world’s most iconic Sexmuseum
Walk through centuries of human stories, art and artefacts. All about sex. All about you.
