The bell is rung exactly 250 times during the National Commemoration of the Dead each May 4th to signify the confirmed number of lives lost at this specific location.
The dunes were selected by the German occupation forces specifically for their isolation and sandy soil, which facilitated the burial of victims in mass graves.
The monument features an inscription that reads: 'In these dunes, the Dutch resistance suffered and died for the freedom of the Netherlands'.
The bell was cast in 1959 and was officially installed to replace temporary markers that existed in the immediate post-war years.
The site remains one of the most important focal points for WWII memorial events in the Netherlands, regularly attended by high-ranking government officials.
The Waalsdorpervlakte Bourdon Bell serves as the primary monument at the site of the most significant execution ground for Dutch resistance fighters during the German occupation of the Netherlands in WWII. Situated in the dune landscape between The Hague and Wassenaar, the location marks the site where over 250 individuals were executed by the occupying forces. The Bourdon Bell is mounted on a concrete structure and is rung annually on the fourth of May during the national commemorations. Access to the site involves a short walk through the Meijendel dune nature reserve. The memorial site remains largely rugged, preserving the original atmosphere of the sandy clearing where the executions occurred. It is maintained by the Erepeloton Waalsdorp foundation.
The elevated view looking toward the bell with the backdrop of the dune horizon.
Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes as the path from the nearest road to the memorial is unpaved and sandy.
Check the official Erepeloton website before visiting to ensure the site is not closed for private or restricted state commemorative events.
Bring a windbreaker or layers, as the open dune landscape is highly exposed to coastal winds from the North Sea.
Do not attempt to traverse the marked-off ecological zones of the dunes, as the area is a protected nature reserve with restricted paths.
Open year-round, though access may be restricted during official state commemorative events in early May.
Maintain a quiet, respectful tone; avoid loud conversation and note that this is a solemn burial site.
