Maison Anne Frank

The Anne Frank House, located in central Amsterdam, is a poignant biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. Situated on the Prinsengracht canal, this 17th-century canal house served as a hiding place for Anne Frank, her family, and four others during World War II. The house, also known as the Secret Annex, is where Anne wrote her famous diary before they were discovered by the Nazis. The Anne Frank Foundation was established in 1957 to protect the property from demolition. The museum opened in 1960, preserving the hiding place and featuring a permanent exhibition on Anne Frank's life and times, as well as an exhibition space about persecution and discrimination. The building's history dates back to 1635 when it was built by Dirk van Delft. Over the centuries, it served as a private residence, a warehouse, and offices before becoming the hiding place during the war. Visitors can explore the secret rooms, see the original diary, and learn about the history of the Holocaust and the Frank family's experience. The museum also hosts the Academy Award won by Shelley Winters for her role in the 1959 film "The Diary of Anne Frank". The Anne Frank House is a significant historical site that offers a moving insight into one of the darkest periods of human history. It is the third most visited museum in the Netherlands, attracting over a million visitors each year.