National Monument Oranjehotel (Orange hotel)

The Oranjehotel was the nickname for the Scheveningen prison during the Second World War. Between 1940 and 1945, the Germans detained more than 25,000 people here for questioning and trial. A diverse group from all over the Netherlands who had violated German laws: Mostly resistance fighters, but also Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, communists and people who were detained for an economic offense, such as black dealers. The complex was already called "Oranjehotel" during the war. An ode to the resistance fighters who were locked up there.

Known and unknown
Among the prisoners in the Oranjehotel were famous persons, such as the 'Soldier of Orange' Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, Rudolph Cleveringa, Titus Brandsma, George Maduro, Pim Boellaard, Henri Pieck, Simon Vestdijk, Heinz Polzer (Drs. P.) and Corrie ten Tree. But also countless others. Some were released, others deported to other prisons or camps. More than 250 prisoners were put to death on the nearby Waalsdorpvlakte. Cell 601, one of the death row, was preserved in its original state immediately after the war and forms the heart of the Oranjehotel.

Impressive stories
In the permanent exhibition of the National Monument Oranjehotel you will learn everything about the history of this complex and hear the stories of former prisoners. Stories of fear, hope, faith and patriotism. You can see how vulnerable freedom is and what choices people make when disenfranchisement, oppression and persecution take hold of society.

Until 2010 part of the Haaglanden Penitentiary
Until 2010, the Oranjehotel was part of the Haaglanden Penitentiary Institution. For that reason it was only accessible once a year during a Commemoration. Since September 2019, the Oranjehotel has been opened as a Memorial Center and is open to the public.

For current visiting hours, please visit the website of the museum.

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Source

• Text: Nationaal Monument Oranjehotel & Dick de Bruijne
• Photos: Nationaal Monument Oranjehotel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), Dick de Bruijne (6, 7, 8)
• Oranjehotel Scheveningen
• Dodenboek "Oranje Hotel" 1940-1945.
• BENDA-BECKMANN, B. VON, Het Oranje Hotel, Em. Querido's Uitgeverij BV, Amsterdam, 2019.
• WEBER, E.P., Gedenkboek van het Oranje Hotel, Uitgeverij Aspekt, Soesterberg, 2016.