In the heart of Amsterdam’s Dam Square sits the Nationaal monument. The 22 meter high obelisk style monument is in place to commerate the lost lives and casualties suffered by the Dutch during the second World war.
Designed by the architect JJP Oud, the 70 foot high monument was sculpted by John Raedecker and unveiled to the public in 1956. Today it still has many people visit it and sit around, mostly eating pizza and chips, it’s a good place to sit and think about where to head to next or whether you should of gotten a bit less mayo on those fries.
The giant obelisk is complimented by the heraldic symbol of the Netherlands, the Lion. Thew two lions which sit in front of the monument are part of Dutch history and very fitting for a monument such as this. Behind the monument on one of the walls are urns containing earth/soil from all the Dutch provinces as well as previous Dutch colonies.
As the obelisk style monument is in the heart of the Dam Square, it’s a great place to as previously mentioned, eat some foods or take some photos. Street performers and living statues help keep passers by entertained.
The Nationaal monument is just one of the many sights and attractions to be seen in the busy Dam Square of Amsterdam.
