National Holocaust Memorial (Hollandsche Schouwburg)

The Basics

After the war, the theater was demolished, leaving only the facade and crumbling walls. In the early 1960s, an obelisk serving as a monument and place for reflection was erected where the stage used to be to honor the memory of the thousands of people who were held there awaiting transportation by the Nazis. Inside the walls, there is a chapel with an eternal flame and a wall where the names of many Dutch Jewish families held here are inscribed. An exhibition space with photos, videos, and some personal items chronicles the persecution of the Dutch Jews.

Visits to the memorial are included in most Jewish history–themed walking tours of Amsterdam, which also typically visit the Jewish Historical Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue. The memorial is included on some combination sightseeing tours, such as a canal tour combined with a visit to the Jewish Quarter.

Things to Know Before You Go

The National Holocaust Memorial is a must-visit for a deeper understanding of a dark time in Dutch history.
Entrance to the memorial is free.
The building is accessible to wheelchair users.
Be mindful of the building’s history when visiting.
Photography, without use of a flash or tripod, is permitted for personal use only.

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When to Get There

The National Holocaust Memorial is open seven days a week from 11am to 5pm. The ticket desk closes at 4:30pm, and last entry is at 4:45pm. If you want to visit the memorial and the Portuguese Synagogue, you may choose to time your visit to coincide with one of the regular candlelit concerts held there. Check the Jewish Cultural Quarter’s website for concert dates and times.

National Holocaust Museum

Across the street from the National Holocaust Memorial is the National Holocaust Museum. It is housed in a former teachers’ training college, used by the Nazis to warehouse Jewish children before transport during World War II; resistance workers smuggled around 600 of those children to safety. The museum hosts temporary exhibitions that tell the stories of the Holocaust.