Prinsengracht 263

Amsterdam, NL

Prinsengracht 263
Prinsengracht 263
Location
Amsterdam, NL
Category
iconic bucket list
Coordinates
52.37531, 4.88409
Best time
Morning or early afternoon
Weather tip
Check the local forecast before visiting.

Overview

Prinsengracht 263, famously known as the Anne Frank House, stands as a profoundly significant historical landmark in Amsterdam. This 17th-century canal house is where Anne Frank, her family, and four other people hid from Nazi persecution during World War II. Visitors come here from across the globe to experience the preserved hiding place, known as the Secret Annex, and to gain insight into the daily lives and struggles of those in hiding. The museum offers a powerful and moving educational experience, presenting original artifacts, historical documents, and excerpts from Anne Frank's diary. It serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust and the enduring power of hope and human spirit. For those seeking historical sites in Amsterdam or unique places to visit, the Anne Frank House provides an essential and unforgettable journey into a pivotal moment in history.

General information

Prinsengracht 263, famously known as the Anne Frank House, stands as a profoundly significant historical landmark in Amsterdam. This 17th-century canal house is where Anne Frank, her family, and four other people hid from Nazi persecution during World War II. Visitors come here from across the globe to experience the preserved hiding place, known as the Secret Annex, and to gain insight into the daily lives and struggles of those in hiding. The museum offers a powerful and moving educational experience, presenting original artifacts, historical documents, and excerpts from Anne Frank's diary. It serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust and the enduring power of hope and human spirit. For those seeking historical sites in Amsterdam or unique places to visit, the Anne Frank House provides an essential and unforgettable journey into a pivotal moment in history.

Did you know

  • The famous revolving bookcase, which concealed the entrance to the Secret Annex, was installed by the helpers in August 1942.
  • Anne Frank's original diary, written in an autograph book and loose sheets, is on display within the museum.
  • The Secret Annex measured approximately 50 square meters (538 square feet) and housed eight people for over two years.
  • Otto Frank, Anne's father, was the only member of the eight people in hiding to survive the Holocaust and dedicated his life to publishing Anne's diary and establishing the museum.
  • The house at Prinsengracht 263 was originally a warehouse and a family home before becoming the offices of Otto Frank's Opekta company.

History

The building at Prinsengracht 263 dates back to 1635, initially serving as a private residence and later a warehouse. In 1940, Otto Frank moved his company, Opekta, which produced pectin for making jam, into the premises. Following the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands and the increasing persecution of Jews, the Frank family went into hiding in the Secret Annex, a concealed space behind a movable bookcase, on July 6, 1942. They were joined by the van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer. On August 4, 1944, the hiding place was betrayed, and all eight occupants were arrested. Anne Frank's diary was discovered by Miep Gies and Bep Voskuijl, two of the helpers, and later given to Otto Frank, who published it in 1947. The Anne Frank House officially opened as a museum on May 3, 1960.

Cultural significance

The Anne Frank House holds immense cultural significance as a memorial and an educational institution. It preserves the authentic hiding place of Anne Frank, whose diary has become one of the most widely read books globally, translated into over 70 languages. The diary offers a deeply personal and human perspective on the Holocaust, making the abstract horrors of genocide tangible through the eyes of a young girl. The museum's mission extends beyond mere preservation; it actively educates visitors about the dangers of antisemitism, racism, and discrimination, advocating for tolerance and human rights. It serves as a powerful symbol of resilience, a poignant reminder of the consequences of hatred, and a testament to the enduring power of hope and the human spirit even in the darkest times.

Geography and landscape

Prinsengracht 263 is situated along the Prinsengracht, one of Amsterdam's iconic main canals, part of the city's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Canal Ring. The building itself is a typical 17th-century canal house, characterized by its narrow facade, gabled roof, and deep structure, common to Amsterdam's historic architecture. It blends seamlessly into the urban fabric of the Jordaan district, a vibrant and historic neighborhood. The Secret Annex, the hiding place, is not visible from the street; it was ingeniously concealed behind the front office building, accessible only through a hidden door disguised as a revolving bookcase. This integration within a seemingly ordinary commercial building underscores the clandestine nature of the Franks' existence and the ingenuity required for survival in wartime Amsterdam.

More facts

  • Imported from Wikidata

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