Nationaal Bevrijdingsmuseum

The National Liberation Museum 1944-1945 in Groesbeek tells the powerful story of the Netherlands during World War II and the liberation of Europe. Located on historic ground near the landing zones of Operation Market Garden, one of the largest Allied airborne operations, the museum brings history vividly to life.

Visitors are taken on a journey from 1939 to 1945, from the rise of Nazism through occupation, resistance, and ultimately liberation. Using original artifacts, photographs, personal stories, soundscapes and films, the museum presents the war from both soldier and civilian perspectives, within both Dutch and international contexts.

A key focus is on Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Reichswald, which played a crucial role in the liberation of the southern Netherlands. The exhibition explores how freedom was regained and what it meant to those who lived through the war – and what it still means today.

Interactive displays, a life-size airborne landing scene and a recreated hiding place offer immersive experiences. Special programs and tours are available for children, making the history accessible to all ages.

Outside, visitors can follow the Liberation Route on foot or by bike, passing significant wartime locations with views over the Groesbeek landscape where Allied troops once landed.

The museum café offers refreshments, and the shop stocks books, DVDs and memorabilia. Regular lectures, commemorations and temporary exhibitions deepen the experience.

Easily reached from Nijmegen and the German border, the National Liberation Museum is a moving and educational place that emphasizes the enduring importance of freedom, peace and remembrance.