Arnhem is a very old city: in 893, 'Arneym' is mentioned in writing for the first time. In 1233, it was granted a city charter.

Arnhem is a very old city: in 893, 'Arneym' is mentioned in writing for the first time. In 1233, it was granted a city charter. Over the next 800 years, the city on the Rhine and Jan’s stream (Jansbeek) prospered. [For more on Arnhem’s history, go to www.arnhem.nl/Bezoek_de_stad/Geschiedenis]

The Second World War did not pass Arnhem by unnoticed, to say the least: especially during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944, the city was a battleground. It was plundered and largely destroyed in the following months.

The Battle of Arnhem Information Centre mainly deals with the nine days that the battle lasted. There are also other ways to delve into the events of the Second World War and, more specifically, the Battle of Arnhem. For instance, the Freedom Trail – a walk through Arnhem that passes 36 sites that played a role during WWII – is available on paper as well as a download (www.freedomtrail.nl).

The Liberation Route guides visitors to sites in Noord-Brabant, around the cities of Arnhem and Nijmegen, and on the Veluwe where important events occurred in 1944 and 1945. There are boulders at 75 locations, called listening sites (luisterplekken). At each listening site, you can listen to a recording about the impressive experiences of one or more persons during 1944-1945. The boulder in front of the Information Centre is the most played. The stories can also be heard by dialling 0900 54 23 728 or visiting here.

For general information about hospitality, events, etc. in and around Arnhem, go to www.vvvarnhemnijmegen.nl. From the tourist information offices in the region, you can choose the (more general) city walk, which includes the Information Centre. Read more about spending time in and around Arnhem here: day out.

Specific tourist information related to the Battle of Arnhem and Operation Market Garden can be obtained from the  Tourist Information Shop located in the entrance hall of the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek.