The 22-meter obelisk made of white travertine was designed by the modernist architect, a member of the De Steil group, Peter Aud. It was erected in memory of the Dutch who died in World War II. It contains a handful of land from all the provinces of the Netherlands and the Dutch West Indies (present-day Indonesia), which, as is known, was occupied by Japan in 1941-45. The victims of the war are depicted chained on the monument. Above them, too, Jesus Christ stands chained. Every year, on memorial Day on May 4, a solemn ceremony is held here with the participation of the king.

The National Monument was constructed in 1956 and dedicated to those lost in World War II and subsequent armed conflicts. A Remembrance of the Dead Ceremony is held annually on 4th May, the anniversary of its unveiling. It stands in Dam Square opposite the Royal Palace in the heart of the city.

Hard to miss on the Damrak and in front of the big department store. Lots of tourists around as we are close to the Central train station and on the long walk to many tourist sites. An important monument, but not all that pretty. Crowded area.

You will not miss this 22 metres high monument standing imposingly in the centre of Amsterdam's Dam Square. Definitely not the most impressive monument that you would ever see, but nevertheless, it still serves its purpose as a daily reminder of war's atrocities. Since 1956, it has been the focal point for the annual May 4th National Remembrance Day to commemorate the casualties of World War II and subsequent armed conflicts.