The Verzets Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum) is one of Amsterdam’s most intriguing and important museums chronicling the Dutch resistance movement during the entirety of World War II. Book Dutch Resistance Museum tickets here.
It is located in the historic Plancius building (built in 1876) opposite Artis Zoo, in the old Jewish quarter of the city. The museum originally opened in 1984 and moved to the Plancius in 1999. It underwent a major renovation in 2022 which completely modernised the permanent exhibition.
A visit to the Dutch resistance museum will give you a fascinating insight into the history of the Netherlands in the 1940s via the permanent exhibition The Netherlands in World War II.
This multimedia exhibition has 6 sections in a general chronological order as follows:
| Time Period | Exhibit Section | |
| 1 | May 1940 – Feb 1941 | Adapt or Resist? |
| 2 | Feb 1941 – Jul 1942 | Resistance Grows |
| 3 | Jul 1942 – Apr 1943 | Help? |
| 4 | Apr 1943 – Sep 1944 | Resistance Works Together |
| 5 | Sep 1944 – Apr 1945 | Playing Hardball |
| 6 | May 1945 | Joy and Frustration |
It covers the invasion and takeover of the country by the Germans, the persecution of the city’s Jewish residents and the rise of the resistance movement.
You will see propaganda posters, photos and various artefacts giving a taste of what life was like during the period.
Many forms of resistance are highlighted: armed resistance, the general strikes, the use of forged documents, the helping of people going into hiding, the printing and distribution of underground newspapers and the use of clandestine radios.
Early in the war some tried to flee by boat to England, although after the Atlantic Wall fortification was built by the Germans, escape routes had to be arranged via Belgium, France and Spain.
Towards the end of the war it features the food shortages and hunger winter and finally to the liberation.
One of the main threads running through the exhibition is the use of personal stories of real people who lived during those times.
Dutch and English are used throughout the museum including in the free audio tour available.
There are also a number of film and multimedia presentations to be seen around the exhibition.
There is a side exhibition on the Dutch Colonies during World War II and the Japanese occupation. Temporary exhibitions also run from time-to-time.
A small museum shop is found in the entrance hall and a café-restaurant is located within the building next-door with indoor and outdoor seating.
The Resistance Museum Junior in a separate wing is aimed at children aged from 9 years. Exhibits focus on the lives of wartime children and labelling is in both Dutch and English.
The Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam is certainly well worth a visit – the much-needed renovation has completely refreshed the exhibition and brought it into the 21st century. And its themes continue to have relevance in today’s society.
Verzets Resistance Museum Essential Info
| Opening Times | 1000-1700 Mon-Fri, 1100-1700 Sat-Sun/holidays. |
| Admission Prices (2024) | €16 for adults, €8.50 for children 7-17. FREE entry for children 0-6, Museumkaart and I Amsterdam City Card holders. You can book Verzets Resistance Museum tickets here Alternatively, order the I amsterdam City Card online here which includes free entrance to the Dutch Resistance Museum. |
| Getting There | Verzetsmuseum is easily walkable from the centre of Amsterdam – head towards Waterlooplein and continue further along the Plantage Middenlaan. Turn left at Plantage Kerklaan. By public transport you can take tram 14 from Amsterdam Central Station to the ‘Artis’ stop. Or take metro lines 51, 53 or 54 to Waterlooplein. Or book a taxi directly to the museum with Sneleentaxi here |
Verzetsmuseum, Plantage Kerklaan 61, 1018 CX Amsterdam
T: +31(0)20 620 2535, verzetsmuseum.org
Last updated 15 January 2024. This article was first published in 2010 and has been regularly updated.
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