Nationaal Onderduikmuseum
Museum in Aalten about going into hiding and resistance in the Second World War, told through personal stories from the border region, in the authentic house at Markt 12.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Nationaal Onderduikmuseum tells the big story of hiding and resistance in the Second World War through small, personal stories and links it to today’s democracy and rule of law. At its heart is the house at Markt 12 in Aalten, right on the German border: during the occupation the Kempink family lived here with two small children. Eight people in hiding stayed in the attic while the German local command had its office in the front room. The vaulted cellar served as a shelter for the whole neighbourhood during bombings.
In proportion to its population, Aalten had the most people in hiding in the Netherlands during the war, and it also took in around 500 evacuees from Scheveningen who had to leave their homes because of the Atlantic Wall. Families on both sides of the border were closely intertwined until the border became a fault line. The museum avoids simple answers to this complex history.
Besides Markt 12, the museum includes further buildings on the Markt: a historic classroom (Markt 14) and the Dorpsboerderij (Markt 16) with a collection of stories. Permanent exhibitions are devoted to the house, the 46 of Rademakersbroek and the role of Gertrud von Millendonk in the Heerlijkheid Bredevoort in 1572. The museum works closely with institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia, such as the Augustaschacht memorial near Osnabrück, and with the “Luisterkei” on the museum square it is part of the Liberation Route Europe.
Highlights
- Authentic house at Markt 12 with the hiding place in the attic and air-raid cellar
- Historic classroom (Markt 14) and village farm with a collection of stories (Markt 16)
- Permanent exhibition “Geef de namen een gezicht” on the 46 of Rademakersbroek
- Free audio tour in Dutch, German and English
- Luisterkei on the museum square (Liberation Route Europe)
- Treasure hunt for children and German-language Biparcours app
Permanent exhibitions
- Het pand Markt 12 – In the Kempink family’s original house, visitors experience the hiding place, daily life and dilemmas of the occupation period.
- Geef de namen een gezicht – Rademakersbroek – The exhibition gives the 46 of Rademakersbroek names and faces.
- 1572 en de kracht van Gertrud – Portrait of Gertrud von Millendonk, who led the Heerlijkheid Bredevoort after her husband’s death in the fight against the Geuzen.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6CJP pass and student pass |
| Children & teens | €4.50free up to age 3 · Children aged 4 to 12 (accompanied by an adult); young people aged 13–17 €6; younger children free. |
| Students & apprentices | €6With a CJP or student pass. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €7.50 per personGroups of 10 or more: adults €7.50, children aged 4–12 €4.50; guided tour €35 per group. Schools: primary pupils €3.50, secondary pupils €5.50; museum educator €25. |
| Young people aged 13–17 | €6 |
| Speuren en ontdekken (children’s treasure hunt) | €1.50Supplement to regular admission. |
Free with the Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART, ICOM card, and for veterans and Friends of the museum. Tickets can be bought online in advance (not mandatory).
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is in a historic building and is largely suitable for wheelchairs. Wheelchair available for loan, lift, accessible toilet and disabled parking space in front of the museum. Dogs are not allowed (except assistance dogs).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Children’s activity “Speuren en ontdekken”: a treasure hunt through the classroom (Markt 14), the house at Markt 12 and the village farm (Markt 16); available at the ticket desk, €1.50 in addition to admission. Children aged 4 to 12 pay €4.50.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Aalten
About a 5 to 10-minute walk from Aalten station; connections via the Dutch public transport information service (9292.nl, +31 900 9292). From Germany, plan via DB/NS International.
By car
Free parking
Free parking in the centre near the museum in a Blue Zone (maximum 2 hours, parking disc available at the museum); disabled parking space in front of the museum. Coaches stop in front of the museum for drop-off and pick-up and park in the long-stay car park at the Kinderboerderij De Ahof (Polstraat 9, 7121 DH Aalten).
- Accessible parking
Follow the signs for “Aalten Centrum” and “Nationaal Onderduikmuseum”.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (NL, DE, EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | An audio tour is included in the admission. For Markt 12 there are also multimedia tours via the izi.Travel app (QR code at the ticket desk; bring your own headphones). Group and school visits via boekingen@onderduikmuseum.nl or +31 543 47 17 97. The Biparcours quest (app) is available in German only. |
