Netherlands

Travel guide

Amsterdam

Amsterdam National Monument

The National Monument presides over the eastern part of Dam Square. It is a tribute to the victims of the Second World War.

On May 10, 1940 the Dutch suffered first-person invasion by German troops and the horrors of war. The fact that the Netherlands had declared itself neutral in the face of the new conflicts that were ravaging the European territory was not enough to avoid the Nazi occupation. This occupation was carried out without a previous declaration of war, reason why its inhabitants did not know how to react while they saw how their troops were reduced.

A period of five years of submission to Hitler's Germany begins at that time. During this time, although the city was not destroyed, with the exception of the Amsterdam North area, where the armament factories were located, and the Jewish quarter, the city had to face the shortage of supplies and the threatening presence of the German troops.

Any citizen of Amsterdam who opposed the invader was at risk of severe punishment. The persecution of the Jewish population and those who provided them with any type of aid was systematic. To get an idea of this ​​barbarism, we just need to remember the data: at the beginning of the occupation, more than 80,000 Jews lived in Amsterdam, but only about 5,000 survived the Nazy occupation.

 

Ceremonies around the monument

May 5, 1945 is a designated date in the history of the Netherlands. That day the liberation of Amsterdam and much of the country by allied (Canadian) troops took place. Since then, every 5 years on that same date, Liberation Day is celebrated.

On the eve of that date, Remembrance Day is celebrated. This celebration does have an annual character, every May 4 at 8:00 p.m. a ceremony is held in front of the Amsterdam National Monument in which the main political representatives and the kings of the Netherlands honor with flower crowns the Dutch who died during World War II.

Symbology

This monument is the meeting point for tourists and locals. It is a monumental ensemble formed by a great obelisk 22 meters high, carved in travertine and surrounded by allegorical figures loaded with symbolism. This element of the set is called "de Vrede" ("Peace"), represented by a woman and a child. At his feet we see four chained men, a symbol of the suffering of the war, guarded by two other male figures accompanied by dogs, who represent the strength and courage towards the invader and the loyalty of the Dutch people.

Separated from the center of the monument, we find two seated lions, symbols of the monarchy. Finally, behind the monument we find a semicircular wall with twelve coats of arms on its back. Each shield protects a niche within which land has been kept from each of the Dutch provinces and the Dutch East Indies, the former colony of the Netherlands.

The National Monument was designed by J.P. Oud and decorated with sculptures by J.W. Raedecker.

Location of the Amsterdam National Monument

How to get to the National Museum in Amsterdam

    Tranvía

    • Paradas: "Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal", "Damrak" o "Rokin"

    Metro

    • Parada: Rokin