Dutch Resistance Museum

Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Dutch Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum) tells the story of the Dutch people in World War II. From 14 May 1940 to 5 May 1945, the Netherlands were occupied by Nazi Germany. The permanent exhibition recreates the atmosphere of the streets of Amsterdam during the German occupation of the World War II. Big photographs, old posters, objects, films and sounds from that horrible time, help to recreate the scene. The background of the Holocaust is visualized to the visitor. This is an exhibition about the everyday life during that time, but also about exceptional historical events, resistance of the population against the Nazis and heroism.

The building bearing the Star of David and the name of Petrus Plancius (1550-1622), the Renaissance Amsterdam clergyman and geographer, was built in 1876 by the Jewish singing society Oefening Baart Kunst. It served for several decades as a Jewish cultural center and synagogue. The Oefening Baart Kunst society kept the Plancius name on its building to underline its respect to the Amsterdam city traditions. That was the name of the old house which stood on this spot before. For a long time Plancius building served in many different functions. Since 1999, after its renovation, it is the seat of the Verzetsmuseum.

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Category: Museums in Netherlands

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Chau Nguyen (3 months ago)
It was clear the museum put significant care to make the entire experience cohesive and accessible! As a Canadian with a brother on the autism spectrum, the options to read or listen to exhibits in English was very helpful. The choice to tell the Resistance story through 100 voices helped me connect more with the Dutch and Jewish experiences. Would definitely recommend this experience for lovers of history and casual travellers!
I L (5 months ago)
Really moving museum. It skillfully combines many personal accounts, and the dilemmas they faced, with a clear overview of the main events of the war and occupation. I was absorbed for over five hours, but you could do it faster if you want. The coffee in the cafe was lovely, not so much the cake.
Blue (6 months ago)
very heavy on the heart. really accessible for everyone. the man at the front desk was sound. the cinema aspects were great, a good form of expression. I'd recommend giving yourself a lot of time to go through it- there's a lot to take in. don't bring your children if they aren't well behaved - there was a loud child who showed no respect...
Sarah Bullock (6 months ago)
This museum is brilliant. It's gives a really detailed account of what the Netherlands and its people faced in the WW2 but more interesting what resistance they gave. Audio guides were great, lots of videos, photos etc. We spent over 2 hours and could have spent more time. We especially liked the exhibits on the Dutch colonies and what happened during and after the war and the fight for independence. This is a must visit for anyone interested in WW2 history.
Rachel Rose (7 months ago)
Really incredible museum experience. I 100% recommend. Do not miss out on this one if you’re interested in history specifically during WWII. Free audio guide detailing different perspectives of what it was like for the Dutch living through this time period. It kept my attention and interest throughout. Each room starts with a short video and the exhibits expand on that. They even had an area for kids, which I did not look at since I was solo. Purchase your tickets online so you can go straight to check in and not wait in the queue.
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