The story of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who sought refuge from Nazi persecution during World War II, continues to resonate globally. Her diary, penned in the concealed annex of a building in Amsterdam, offers a poignant glimpse into the harrowing effects of the Holocaust on individuals and families. This article delves into the history of Anne Frank, her diary's impact, and the transformation of her hiding place into the renowned Anne Frank House museum.
Anne Frank was only 13 when she and her family went into hiding in the secret annex of a building at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam, close to the Westerkerk. The entrance to their hiding place was concealed behind a movable bookcase, specifically constructed to keep the eight Jewish fugitives safe from Nazi detection. For over two years, Anne and her companions lived in the cramped quarters of the annex, relying on non-Jewish friends for sustenance and news of the outside world.
Tragically, after two years of hiding, the group was betrayed. The exact details of their discovery remain a mystery, but they were subsequently deported to various concentration camps. Anne and her sister Margot were transferred to Bergen-Belsen, where they both died of typhus in early 1945, just weeks before the camp's liberation. Of the eight people who hid in the annex, only Otto Frank, Anne's father, survived the war.
Upon returning to Amsterdam and learning of his daughters' deaths, Otto Frank was given Anne's diary by Miep Gies, one of the helpers who had supported the family during their time in hiding. Moved by Anne's words and her aspirations to become a writer, Otto decided to fulfill his daughter's dream by publishing her diary. First published in 1947 under the title "The Secret Annex," her diary has since been translated into over 70 languages and sold millions of copies worldwide.
In 1960, the building that housed the secret annex was transformed into the Anne Frank House museum. This museum not only preserves the hiding place but also serves as an educational center about the Holocaust. It features permanent exhibitions that depict the lives of the Frank family during their years in hiding and displays the original diary of Anne Frank.
The Anne Frank House is located a short walk from Amsterdam's Central Station, with several bus and tram routes, such as buses 170, 172, 174 and trams 13, 14, and 17, stopping nearby at the 'Westermarkt' stop. The museum operates with specific visiting hours:
The museum is closed on Yom Kippur but is otherwise open throughout the year. Ticket prices are structured as follows:
The Anne Frank House is one of Amsterdam's most visited museums, attracting over 1.2 million visitors annually in recent years. It ranks as the third most visited museum in the city, following the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. The museum's impact extends beyond tourism, serving as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of World War II and the enduring importance of human rights.
Anne Frank's diary remains a crucial document of the Second World War and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The Anne Frank House not only preserves this significant historical site but also educates the public about the dangers of intolerance and the necessity of remembering the past to protect the future. For more information on visiting, check the official Anne Frank House website.
The story of Anne Frank and the secret annex in which she wrote her diary is a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and the enduring human capacity for hope and resilience.
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