The Anne Frank House Amsterdam
Anne Frank
Introduction
We all know the story of Anne Frank. A young Jewish girl who went into hiding during the Second World War because of the Nazis. During the war, Anne and her family lived in the annex of the building at Prinsengracht 263. They weren't alone though, together with eight others including the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer, they hid for more than two years. Unfortunately, they were discovered and deported to concentration camps. Anne’s father, Otto Frank, is the only one of the eight people to survive. After her death Anne becomes world famous because of the diary she kept while in hiding.
Shortly before going into hiding Anne received a diary for her birthday. She immediately starts writing and during her time in hiding she writes about events in the secret annex. Her diary documents her life and also acts as a companion to her. She wrote short stories and quotations from a host of other popular writers.
The Anne Frank House Amsterdam
Nowadays, the rooms at the Anne Frank House, though empty, still portray what it was like to live there during the period of the Second World War. Visitors can see historical documents, photographs, films, quotations from Anne's diary and the personal belongings of those who were in hiding and also the ones who helped them go into hiding.
Anne’s original diary and other notebooks are also on display in the museum. A contemporary exhibition is presented in the exhibition hall. Also on display is the Academy Award Shelley Winters won for her performance as Petronella van Daan in the 1959 film, The Diary of Anne Frank. She donated the award to the museum and it's showcased in a bullet-proof glass case for visitors to see.
Tickets
It's better to buy tickets for the Anne Frank's House well in advance before visiting as the museum can be very busy during the summer months. It must also be noted that the museum is only open to visitors with an online ticket for a specific time slot. The tickets are only valid for the persons they are issued to, and for the date and time you have selected. Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded.
During the summer (high) season in Amsterdam, many people from different parts of the world visit the Anne Frank House. This can mean people have to line up before entering the museum. Many visitors seem to be unaware of the fact that from January through March 2018, the museum is opened every day from 9am till 7pm and even until 9pm on Saturdays. And from April through October, they open from 9am to 10pm. The museum tends to be quieter during the evening. Therefore, I'd suggest you consider visiting the museum late in the afternoon or early in the evenings. For more information on opening times and tickets, please click on this link.
Accessibility
The Anne Frank House is situated in the centre of Amsterdam at Prinsengracht 263-267. It's a 20-minute walk from the Amsterdam Central Station. Trams 13, 14 and 17 stop nearby at the Westermarkt tram stop.
