Anne Frank House

Interesting facts

1. 1

   Otto Frank, Anne's father, was the only member of the eight inhabitants of the Secret Annex to survive the war.

2. 2

   The moveable bookcase hiding the entrance to the annex was designed by Johannes Voskuijl, the father of Bep Voskuijl, one of the helpers.

3. 3

   The original diary is actually a collection of three different journals, including one in which Anne rewrote and edited her entries later in the war.

4. 4

   After the war, Otto Frank requested that the Secret Annex remain empty to reflect the state in which the inhabitants left it.

5. 5

   The house on the Prinsengracht canal dates back to 1635.

6. 6

   Miep Gies, one of the helpers, saved Anne's diary pages from the floor of the Annex after the family's arrest in 1944.

Overview

The Anne Frank House is a biographical museum situated in the canal-side house where Anne Frank and her family hid from Nazi persecution during World War II. The core of the museum preserves the Secret Annex, accessed via a moveable bookcase, where the family lived in hiding for over two years. The original diary written by Anne Frank is the focal point of the museum's exhibition. Visitors walk through the original rooms, which remain largely unfurnished as per Otto Frank's original request after the war. The site includes a modern wing that documents the broader historical context of the Holocaust. The museum also maintains an extensive digital collection and educational resources regarding human rights and discrimination. It is one of the most visited cultural institutions in the Netherlands. The site is managed by the Anne Frank Foundation, which focuses on preserving the hiding place and educating the public.

Insider tips

• Tickets must be booked online well in advance, as same-day tickets are not available.

• The museum route includes steep, narrow staircases, which may be challenging for visitors with limited mobility.

• Download the official museum app before arriving to access the audio tour content.