Anne Frank House, Amsterdam (must see)
The Anne Frank House is a biographical museum dedicated to Anne Frank, a Jewish diarist during World War II. Hiding in the Secret Annex of this 17th-century building during the Nazi occupation, her family and four others remained concealed here until their discovery. Although Anne did not survive the war, her diary was published in 1947 by her father, Otto Frank, who was the sole survivor among those hidden.
The building itself dates back to 1635. By the 20th century, it had transitioned from a private residence to a warehouse and stable and served various commercial purposes.
In 1940, Otto Frank relocated his spice business here. The building included a front goods entrance, a middle section with spice mills, and a rear warehouse for packing and dispatch. The offices above contained a radio used by the group in hiding until 1943.
The building's secluded rear extension, known as the Secret Annex, became the hidden refuge for the Frank family鈥擮tto, his wife Edith, and daughters Margot and Anne鈥攁long with four other Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. Despite its small size (about 450 square feet), Anne Frank described it in her diary as relatively luxurious. Here, they remained concealed for over two years until their discovery and deportation by the Nazis. Only Otto survived the concentration camps.
After the arrest, the annex was emptied on Nazi orders, but the company's employees managed to salvage some belongings, including Anne's writings. After Otto Frank's return to Amsterdam in 1945, he compiled Anne Frank's diaries into a book called 鈥淭he Secret Annex.鈥�
After its publication, visitors to Anne Frank's hiding place were guided by employees who had helped hide the families, allowing access to the secret rooms. By 1955, the building faced demolition for factory construction, but a campaign initiated by a local newspaper helped declare it a protected monument. The Anne Frank Foundation was established in 1957 by Otto Frank, acquiring the building through donations and purchasing the adjacent property.
The museum opened in 1960, drawing significant attention globally. After being expanded to include more exhibition space, the museum was reopened in 2001 by Queen Beatrix. In 2007, it saw over one million visitors, becoming the third most-visited museum in the Netherlands. Among other exhibits, it displays an Academy Award won by Shelley Winters for her role in the 1959 movie 鈥淭he Diary of Anne Frank.鈥� Donated by the actress, the Oscar is housed in a bullet-proof glass case within the museum.
Tip:
Plan your visit well in advance, and be mindful that the house has numerous stairs, and photography is not permitted inside.
The building itself dates back to 1635. By the 20th century, it had transitioned from a private residence to a warehouse and stable and served various commercial purposes.
In 1940, Otto Frank relocated his spice business here. The building included a front goods entrance, a middle section with spice mills, and a rear warehouse for packing and dispatch. The offices above contained a radio used by the group in hiding until 1943.
The building's secluded rear extension, known as the Secret Annex, became the hidden refuge for the Frank family鈥擮tto, his wife Edith, and daughters Margot and Anne鈥攁long with four other Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. Despite its small size (about 450 square feet), Anne Frank described it in her diary as relatively luxurious. Here, they remained concealed for over two years until their discovery and deportation by the Nazis. Only Otto survived the concentration camps.
After the arrest, the annex was emptied on Nazi orders, but the company's employees managed to salvage some belongings, including Anne's writings. After Otto Frank's return to Amsterdam in 1945, he compiled Anne Frank's diaries into a book called 鈥淭he Secret Annex.鈥�
After its publication, visitors to Anne Frank's hiding place were guided by employees who had helped hide the families, allowing access to the secret rooms. By 1955, the building faced demolition for factory construction, but a campaign initiated by a local newspaper helped declare it a protected monument. The Anne Frank Foundation was established in 1957 by Otto Frank, acquiring the building through donations and purchasing the adjacent property.
The museum opened in 1960, drawing significant attention globally. After being expanded to include more exhibition space, the museum was reopened in 2001 by Queen Beatrix. In 2007, it saw over one million visitors, becoming the third most-visited museum in the Netherlands. Among other exhibits, it displays an Academy Award won by Shelley Winters for her role in the 1959 movie 鈥淭he Diary of Anne Frank.鈥� Donated by the actress, the Oscar is housed in a bullet-proof glass case within the museum.
Tip:
Plan your visit well in advance, and be mindful that the house has numerous stairs, and photography is not permitted inside.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Amsterdam. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Anne Frank House on Map
Sight Name: Anne Frank House
Sight Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands (See walking tours in Amsterdam)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands (See walking tours in Amsterdam)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Creating your own self-guided walk in Amsterdam is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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The Jordaan was originally... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The Jordaan was originally... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Western Canal Belt Walking Tour
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Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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The diverse culinary landscape of Amsterdam caters to a wide range of tastes and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Our walk starts in the Central Station area and leads you to visit the eight most prominent... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Our walk starts in the Central Station area and leads you to visit the eight most prominent... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
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Here, all within an easy walking distance you will... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Southern Canal Belt Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
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