National Monument on Dam Square, War memorial on Dam Square, Netherlands.
The National Monument is a war memorial in the heart of Amsterdam on Dam Square. The central pillar rises above a semicircular wall with reliefs showing war and liberation while two stone animals flank the structure.
Queen Juliana unveiled the memorial on May 4, 1956 as a national tribute to victims of the Second World War. The architect J.J.P. Oud designed the structure while the reliefs were created by John Raedecker.
The rear wall displays the word peace in four languages while visitors leave flowers near the base throughout the year. Many locals pause briefly when passing through the square as a gesture of respect.
The square is open around the clock and the sloped ramp allows access from all sides. Visitors should exercise quiet respect during commemoration ceremonies or official events.
Eleven urns in the rear wall hold soil from different battlefields and cemeteries across Dutch provinces and former colonies. The urns create a physical connection to distant places where Dutch soldiers and civilians died.
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