World War II route
World War II caused considerable social upheaval, making it one of the most traumatic events in (recent) Dutch history. There are several places in South Holland where this history has been preserved for posterity, which you can easily explore with the Tourist Day Ticket. Follow this route to discover and experience several aspects of this impactful chapter in South Holland’s history.
Good morning
The defence line at Hoek van Holland
War history is everywhere you look when you visit Hoek van Holland, mainly because of its strategic location as a gateway to the Port of Rotterdam. This dune area is thus home to several 19th and 20th century fortifications and bunkers, each with their own unique story to tell. A visit to the Atlantikwall-Museum of Fort 1881 is highly recommended if you want to see this area come to life during a guided tour for example.
Good afternoon
Brandgrens walk Rotterdam
Rotterdam was subjected to heavy aerial bombardment during World War II in an attempt to force the Dutch government to capitulate. The resulting fires razed almost all of the city centre. To commemorate this catastrophe, LED fittings have been installed in the city’s pavements along this so-called fire boundary, or brandgrens in Dutch. Follow the organisation’s interactive website to walk the route and fully comprehend the scale of the devastation.
Good evening
Museum 1940-1945 Dordrecht
Dordrecht was of great strategic importance during World War II because of its unique location. The city was situated at an important river confluence, in addition to being very close to the crucial rail and road bridges at Moerdijk and Zwijndrecht. This also explains why the region around Dordrecht has such a fascinating and rich war history. Find more about this eventful period in the region’s history at Museum 1940-1945. The exhibits are very accessible.
1 day › 1 route › 1 ticket
Tourist Day Ticket
- Convenient and all-in-one: you no longer have to worry about transport to and across the Rotterdam and The Hague area.
- Choose from seven regional options
- Starting from as little as €2,05