Why the Anne Frank House is Worth Visiting When in Amsterdam

By now, you've probably already encountered the name of Anne Frank. The Jewish teenager rose to fame after her diary, which chronicled her life while hiding from the Nazis during World War II, was published posthumously. Anne was only 15 years old when she died.

Today, beyond reading the pages of "The Diary of a Young Girl," there is another way to learn more about Anne Frank and that's through visiting the Anne Frank House.

Before you think that the Anne Frank House was her place of residence, that's not exactly the case. Read on and find out what it was and why it's worth visiting.

It's Where You Can Find the Secret Annex

If you're familiar with Anne Frank's life, then you'd know that Anne, her family, and other acquaintances hid from the Nazis in the rear of Prinsengracht 263. This was eventually named the Secret Annex.

When the museum opened in 1960, the annex remained empty per the request of Otto Frank, Anne's father and the only resident of the Secret Annex who survived the war.

You Can See Anne's Original Diary

Anne began writing in her diary when she received a red-checked autograph book for her 13th birthday. However, the teenager eventually decided to rewrite her whole diary after learning that the government would be collecting diaries after the war. This is due to her dream of becoming a writer and journalist.

Her original diary is part of the exhibition in the Anne Frank House.

It Will Help You Visualize What You Read from the Diary

Your understanding of "The Diary of a Young Girl" will deepen during your visit of the Anne Frank House. This because the museum still holds personal items once owned by its residents.

Aside from Anne's original diary, you will also find the hinged bookcase that hid the entrance to the Secret Annex. You will also find the height markings of Anne and her sister Margot that their parents made on their bedroom wall.

Tags

Amsterdam, Netherlands, Museum