Arnhem, Netherlands

Arnhem is a city in the Netherlands, located on the Lower Rhine River. From a historical point of view, this city is mentioned in 893 under the name Arnoldi Villa. Arnhem got its current name in 1233. The city was repeatedly occupied by various rulers and emperors. It occupies a rather strategic position, which in the past was also the reason for its creation – it is located on one of the main commercial arteries in the Netherlands.

An important year in the history of the city is 1944. Then in September, right during the Second World War, the British and Polish air forces were given the task of attacking the bridge over the Rhine, which passes through the central part of the city. Thanks to the superior defense, the attack was repulsed. It is precisely for this reason that today Arnhem is rich in World War II monuments, with several large museums and memorials commemorating what happened. The bridge over the river is named "John Forst Brugge" in memory of the defense chief. Today, Arnhem has a unique mix of modern and older architecture. In 2008 Arnhem was named the "greenest city in the Netherlands" and its center the best city center in the Netherlands in 2009.

The National Heritage Museum has been declared a local landmark of Arnhem. This complex is an open-air museum and park with antique houses, farms and factories from different parts of the Netherlands. One of the largest and most visited zoos in the country is also located here.

The other jewel, as well as one of Arnhem's main attractions, is the magnificent Helredom stadium, built in 1998, home to the local club Vitesse and one of the most beautiful and functional stadiums in the world.

Other sights worth noting are the St. Eusebius Church, the octagonal Keppel Kirk, the medieval St. Peter's Inn, the 16th-century Devil's House, and the only surviving fortress from that time, the Sabelsport Gate.

A visit to the Air Force Museum, which keeps alive the memory of the Battle of Arnhem in 1944, should not be missed. A walk through Arnhem's historic wine cellars, dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, located below the Ringstraat, would also be exciting.