Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Offices & Warehouse
The building originally held Otto Frank's pectin (a substance used in jelly-making) busi-
ness. On the lower floors you'll see the former offices of Victor Kugler, Otto's business
partner; and the desks of Miep Gies, Bep Voskuijl and Jo Kleiman, three women who
worked in the office and provided food, clothing and other goods for the household.
Secret Annexe
The upper floors in the
achterhuis
(rear house) contain the Secret Annexe, where the liv-
ing quarters have been preserved in powerful austerity. As you enter Anne's small bed-
room, you can still sense the remnants of a young girl's dreams: view the photos of Holly-
wood stars and postcards of the Dutch Royal family she pasted on the wall.
The Diary
More haunting exhibits and videos await after you return to the front house - including
Anne's red-plaid diary itself, sitting alone in its glass case. Watch the video of Anne's old
schoolmate Hanneli Gosler, who describes encountering Anne at Bergen-Belsen. Read
heartbreaking letters from Otto, the only Secret Annexe occupant to survive the concen-
tration camps.
Top Tips
›
Come after 6pm to avoid the biggest crowds. Queues can easily be an hour-plus wait otherwise.
›
Buying tickets in advance allows you to skip the queue and enter via a separate door (left of the main entrance).
›
Prebook two ways: via the website (€0.50 surcharge), though you must buy the tickets several days ahead of
time and be able to print them; or via the tourist information office at Centraal Station (€1 surcharge), which you
can do on shorter notice. Both methods give you a set time for entry.
›
Download 'Anne's Amsterdam', a free app available in Dutch, English and German.
Take a Break
The museum cafe offers apple pie and canal views. For pancakes, sandwiches and 18th-century atmosphere
aplenty, stroll over to Café 't Smalle (
Click here
).
