National Monument (Amsterdam) Monument
WWII memorial on Dam Square honoring war victims
On Amsterdam's Dam Square, the National Monument commemorates World War II victims; visitors stop for the stone obelisk, annual May 4 remembrance ceremonies and easy access to the Royal Palace and central tram connections.
National Monument (Amsterdam) at a Glance#
Address: National Monument, Dam Square, 1012 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website: https://www.oorlogsmonument.nl/
Hours: Public monument on Dam Square (accessible at all times)
Admission: Free (public monument)
About National Monument (Amsterdam)#
The National Monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam is the principal Dutch memorial to victims of the Second World War and later conflicts, unveiled in 1956. It stands prominently in the city centre as a national place of remembrance.
The monument is an obelisk-style memorial with sculptural reliefs and a raised platform where wreaths are laid during ceremonies. It is a focal point for public commemorations and photographic views across Dam Square.
Commissioned after the Second World War as a national memorial, the monument was completed and unveiled in 1956 and has since been used for official and popular commemorative events. It functions primarily as a civic memorial rather than a museum.
It occupies a central position on Dam Square in Amsterdam, immediately adjacent to the Royal Palace and surrounded by the city’s main shopping streets and civic buildings.
- Remembrance Day: Annual national Remembrance Day ceremony takes place here on 4 May, with wreath-laying and a moment of silence.
- Location tip: Set on Dam Square next to the Royal Palace, it is easily combined with visits to the palace and nearby museums.
How to Get to National Monument (Amsterdam)#
The monument sits in the centre of Amsterdam at Dam Square, a short walk from Amsterdam Centraal Station and served by multiple tram lines (lines 1, 2, 5, 13, 14, among others).
Tips for Visiting National Monument (Amsterdam)#
- Visit on May 4 (Remembrance Day) for ceremonies and a sense of national commemoration; otherwise early morning to avoid crowds on Dam Square.
- Combine with a walk through the Royal Palace and Nieuwe Kerk nearby; Dam Square is centrally located for tram and walking access.
Best Time to Visit National Monument (Amsterdam)#
The monument is an outdoor public site - visit year-round. May 4 is the national day of remembrance when ceremonies are held at the monument.
Weather & Climate near National Monument (Amsterdam)#
National Monument (Amsterdam)'s climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (876 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 75 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.1h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 55 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.7h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 2° | 70 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 4° - 12° | 6° | 50 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Very Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.5h |
| June | Good | 11° - 20° | 15° | 73 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.5h |
| July | Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 72 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.0h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 64 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.5h |
| September | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 87 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.1 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 11° | 92 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 99 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 85 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.5h |
