National Monument
National Monument
3.5
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The area
Neighborhood: Red Light District (De Wallen)
To visit Amsterdam and not explore De Wallen (the Dutch name for this area) or to go only to gawk at its saucier aspects would mean missing the opportunity to view some of the city’s most picturesque canals, historic landmarks, and impeccably presented examples of traditional local architecture – not to mention Amsterdam’s own Chinatown, Europe’s largest Buddhist temple and more local treasures. Sure, there are some less salubrious activities drawing the curious to this age-old part of time. Nevertheless, the Red Light District is still a very safe and incredibly fascinating area where at the turn of a corner you can be transported from the dingy glow of modern day neon red to a glorious 16th century Delft blue dreamscape.
How to get there
- Nieuwmarkt • 7 min walk
- Centraal Station • 9 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
5,268 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,080 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- VadimMurmansk, Russia34,571 contributionsIn memory of the Dutch who died in World War II.The 22-meter obelisk made of white travertine was designed by the modernist architect, a member of the De Steil group, Peter Aud. It was erected in memory of the Dutch who died in World War II. It contains a handful of land from all the provinces of the Netherlands and the Dutch West Indies (present-day Indonesia), which, as is known, was occupied by Japan in 1941-45. The victims of the war are depicted chained on the monument. Above them, too, Jesus Christ stands chained. Every year, on memorial Day on May 4, a solemn ceremony is held here with the participation of the king.Visited May 2023Traveled soloWritten January 28, 2024
- chrissieb94Dorset, United Kingdom3,125 contributionsImpressive War MemorialThe National Monument was constructed in 1956 and dedicated to those lost in World War II and subsequent armed conflicts. A Remembrance of the Dead Ceremony is held annually on 4th May, the anniversary of its unveiling. It stands in Dam Square opposite the Royal Palace in the heart of the city.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 26, 2024
- Thomas VOakland, California17,519 contributionsCrowded AreaHard to miss on the Damrak and in front of the big department store. Lots of tourists around as we are close to the Central train station and on the long walk to many tourist sites. An important monument, but not all that pretty. Crowded area.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 26, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
462 reviews
Excellent
71
Very good
176
Average
170
Poor
32
Terrible
13
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,237 contributions
Jul 2022
The National Monument is located in Dam Square in the centre of Amsterdam. Dam Square is well served by trams from Centraal Station to different areas of the city.
I visited in July 2022 and at that time the monument was covered with scaffolding and hoardings as it was being restored. I look forward to seeing it again properly when I next return to the city.
I visited in July 2022 and at that time the monument was covered with scaffolding and hoardings as it was being restored. I look forward to seeing it again properly when I next return to the city.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
feltroneu
George Town, Malaysia2,311 contributions
Dec 2019
Just passed by from Damrak and stopover for pictures. A nice but small monument surrounding by other beautiful and famous architectures. Love its white plain color but didn't stay long due to drizzling weather.
Written April 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,662 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
The National Monument on Dam Square stands in tribute to the casualties of World War II and subsequent armed conflicts involving the Dutch nation.
The monument consists of a central column made of concrete in the shape of a conical pillar. On the column sit an allegorical figure of peace and below it, several allegorical figures representing the suffering of the Dutch in various conflicts.
While I admire the sentiments, the monument is not all that attractive. To be honest, looks a bit cheap, especially when compared to national monuments in other countries where similar memorial tend to be much more monumental and ornate. It doesn't really help that the monument is treated as a eating, resting, sleeping area and not with the respect it deserves.
The monument consists of a central column made of concrete in the shape of a conical pillar. On the column sit an allegorical figure of peace and below it, several allegorical figures representing the suffering of the Dutch in various conflicts.
While I admire the sentiments, the monument is not all that attractive. To be honest, looks a bit cheap, especially when compared to national monuments in other countries where similar memorial tend to be much more monumental and ornate. It doesn't really help that the monument is treated as a eating, resting, sleeping area and not with the respect it deserves.
Written August 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cchevrier2016
Montreal, Canada122 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Located in Dam Square in front of the Royal Palace, this 72 feet stoned obelisk act as a gathering place to commemorate the Dutch resistance & other heroes of World War II.
Written October 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,623 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
This monument was erected on Dam Square in 1956. Being located in the most visited square in the country, it is seen by most sightseers. It commemorates the countries casualties from World War II and subsequent military conflicts. It is not so much the beauty of the monument which is important, what the remembrance purpose for which it exists. My first inclination was to rate it as “Average,” but since it is there to honour and remember the human casualties of wars and other armed conflicts, I’ll rate it as “Very Good.”
The monument is also a meeting point for many tour groups. It is also a great photo op.
The monument is also a meeting point for many tour groups. It is also a great photo op.
Written September 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I visited this place🇫🇷🇺🇸🇬🇷🇨🇭🇬🇧
Israel35,080 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
PROS
* Historical and meaningful memorial
* Commemorating service to the country and to freedom
* Deserving of respect and honor
* Facing and opposite the Royal Palace
* Stark and standing alone in the square
* Special sculptures adorn the obelisk
CONS
* Plain and unadorned
* No security nor honor guard
* Not clean nor shiny
* The many hallowed institutions on the monument are so blurred and dirty that they can’t be determined nor read
“I VISITED THIS PLACE”…
… in my quest to visit everything important, historical and touristic in Amsterdam. I viewed this monument at 0600h, when the only other person there was another photographer.
I tried to honor the memories for whom this cenotaph is placed.
I saw the monument “close up” and studied it from all perspectives. I tried unsuccessfully to read the inscriptions.
WOULD I VISIT THIS AGAIN? No
ADVICES
Hey- this is a major Dutch national monument, so go and pay your respects.
* Historical and meaningful memorial
* Commemorating service to the country and to freedom
* Deserving of respect and honor
* Facing and opposite the Royal Palace
* Stark and standing alone in the square
* Special sculptures adorn the obelisk
CONS
* Plain and unadorned
* No security nor honor guard
* Not clean nor shiny
* The many hallowed institutions on the monument are so blurred and dirty that they can’t be determined nor read
“I VISITED THIS PLACE”…
… in my quest to visit everything important, historical and touristic in Amsterdam. I viewed this monument at 0600h, when the only other person there was another photographer.
I tried to honor the memories for whom this cenotaph is placed.
I saw the monument “close up” and studied it from all perspectives. I tried unsuccessfully to read the inscriptions.
WOULD I VISIT THIS AGAIN? No
ADVICES
Hey- this is a major Dutch national monument, so go and pay your respects.
Written July 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Binu A
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates1,690 contributions
Nov 2013 • Family
The National Monument is a 1956 World War II monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam.
The monument has four chained men signifying the suffering endured during the second world war. On either side of these chained men are two men signifying the dutch resistance. Weeping dogs are at their feet, representing suffering and loyalty. Above the central relief is a sculpture of a woman with a child in her arms and doves flying around her, representing victory, peace, and new life. A relief of the back side of the pillar shows doves ascending into the sky, symbolizing the liberation
A semicircular wall surrounds the back side of the monument. The wall contains eleven urns with soil from World War II execution grounds and war cemeteries.
Most people just give this important monument a cursory glance and walk past. I personally feel a little knowledge of the monument goes a long way in enjoying this important monument.
The monument has four chained men signifying the suffering endured during the second world war. On either side of these chained men are two men signifying the dutch resistance. Weeping dogs are at their feet, representing suffering and loyalty. Above the central relief is a sculpture of a woman with a child in her arms and doves flying around her, representing victory, peace, and new life. A relief of the back side of the pillar shows doves ascending into the sky, symbolizing the liberation
A semicircular wall surrounds the back side of the monument. The wall contains eleven urns with soil from World War II execution grounds and war cemeteries.
Most people just give this important monument a cursory glance and walk past. I personally feel a little knowledge of the monument goes a long way in enjoying this important monument.
Written July 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
avist80
Gorinchem, The Netherlands94 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
Basicly you can't miss it. It's a reminder of people who lost their lifes in WWII. Monument is also a good poit for meeting if you lost.
Written June 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hermes_NL 🇳🇱
Amsterdam, The Netherlands21,575 contributions
May 2018 • Business
The monument on the Dam was erected in 1956 to commemorate the Second World War and in particular those who died in that War (that is, the Dutch and the Indonesians, not so much the occupiers from the East). This is the centerpiece of the annual 4th of May ceremony to remember and honor those fallen - where the King and the prime minister and some more dignitaries show up to pay their respect. Sometimes the very solemn ceremony is disturbed by somebody shouting very loud ... the so-called Damshouter (Dam-schreeuwer).
Written January 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lizzy_lu123
Sheffield, UK457 contributions
Feb 2013 • Couples
The National Monument is a monument where the victims of WWII are remembered.
It is located on Dam Square, whilst your there have a little look and take a photo.
It is located on Dam Square, whilst your there have a little look and take a photo.
Written February 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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