Rondleiding ARTIS in Oorlogstijd: A Guided Tour of World War II History in Amsterdam

This guided tour explores the history of ARTIS during World War II, sharing stories of people and animals who resided there during the conflict. Visitors will gain a new perspective on the park's buildings and enclosures by learning about these significant historical events.

During World War II, ARTIS served as a hiding place for resistance fighters and Jewish people. Young men sought refuge in the zoo's animal enclosures during raids, while German soldiers visited for recreation. In the early war years, children collected acorns and seeds for the animals, but during the Hunger Winter, visitors attempted to steal food from enclosures to survive. The tour recounts the dramatic events when ARTIS was hit by bombs, causing panic among people and animals. It also highlights the resistance's attack on the Population Registry, located in the Members' Rooms, in 1943. This act aimed to destroy personal data and thwart the tracking of Jewish people, an event that is commemorated annually. The guided tour through ARTIS-Park reveals these diverse narratives, allowing participants to view the buildings and animal habitats through the lens of wartime history.

This guided tour is offered in Dutch on weekdays at 13:00 and in both Dutch and English on weekends at 11:00 and 13:00. Please check the schedule for specific offerings. While ticketing information is not explicitly detailed for the tour itself, general ARTIS admission or membership likely applies.