4 years ago
This is such a seminal piece of 20th-century histo...
This is such a seminal piece of 20th-century history that it makes it THE must - see place when you visit Amsterdam. The experience wrapped up in the story of this young girl expresses and summarizes the terrible condition of Europe and the world in general at the time. The dark days of the 1930s and 1940s vividly come to life.
Tickets are hard to get. It's better to visit outside of summer and other Holiday times. It's also better to plan a visit on a weekday, as weekend tickets are quicker to sell out for obvious reasons. The best option is to purchase tickets on - line in advance. At busier times, this means planning ahead for several weeks. Otherwise, 20% of the tickets are held for same-day purchase but I can't imagine the line for that and how early you'd have to get there on a busy day to have a fighting chance.
With your ticket, you are assigned a 15 - minute window to get in the door and, once in the lobby, you still have to wait in line to be let into the museum. I had a 17:00 - 17:15 ticket and, even though I was in line at 16:55, I actually went through the turnstile into the museum proper at 17:25 or so. There is a coat and bag check, which is quite convenient.
The audio guide is picked up in the lobby before going through the turnstile into the heart of the museum. Don't forget to touch the proper flag for your language of choice when you select your device. The guide is included with admission and is well worth it. It presents the story well. There is no audio in the hiding place itself.
I am rating this site a "5" because of the magnitude of its importance and its worthiness as a place to visit. Few other places offer the same substance for what it presents and represents. The story told on the tour is sobering, and the poignant outcome is heartbreaking. It's also very well documented and the presentation made to the general public is excellent. The facility was recently refurbished in expert fashion.
But that's not to say they couldn't do better. Some of what is lacking is not their fault. Otto Frank, Anne's father, was the only survivor of the family and the one responsible for publishing his remarkable daughter's diaries. The Nazis had emptied out the hiding place when they were arrested and Otto asked that the furnishings never be replaced. Unfortunately, this takes away some of the ability to visualize what life was like for the Frank family.
To say the tour is crowded is an understatement. It's hard to move around and there are some steep staircases. It's a bit claustrophobic and the crowded conditions exacerbate that.
The biggest thing that caused consternation for me was the fact that photos were not allowed. I realize that there are logistical difficulties in letting people take photos in a small, crowded space but I'm disappointed that I could not create photo documentation for my own memories. I visit so many places and having personalized visual memories enhances my long term enjoyment and the meaningfulness of a place long after the visit ends.
Overall, in spite of the relatively minor downsides, this place is unquestionably worth visiting. If you have time and you can get tickets, don't think twice. Carve out the time to see this site and listen to the story (i.e., don't just hear it...imbibe it). It reminds you why we need to keep our hearts and minds alert to the tyranny that comes from human corruption which can destroy lives and societies...physically, materially and morally.
