Zandvoort

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Zandvoort 1939-1945

Children unable to understand why they could no longer play on the beach
Children unable to play on the beach

During the Second World War and the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Zandvoort experienced much hardship and devastation at the hands of the occupying army. In 1942, about 3 kilometres of the sea front was levelled to the ground, and in place of hotels and villas there appeared concrete bunkers looking out to the sea. The beach became a forbidden area, a zone where none could venture for it was barricaded with stakes and covered with mines.


Houses destroyed at the end of Burg. Engelbertsstraat and corner of Zeestraat
Destruction at the end of Burg. Engelbertsstraat
Destruction of the Old Water Tower in 1943
Destruction of the Old Water Tower

The villagers were for the most part evacuated and about a third of Zandvoort’s buildings were demolished. From the remaining houses the plumbing and piping soon disappeared.

The luxury seaside resort character of Zandvoort was totally wiped out during the war. A total of 648 buildings were demolished: 176 workers’ dwellings, 281 homes of the middle classes, 29 manor houses, 75 villas, 36 shops, 14 cafes, 3 bathing establishments, 16 boarding houses, 20 hotels, 35 summerhouses and the water tower.

What remained was also badly damaged. On the beach to this day a partially guarded concrete tank wall, a remainder of the Atlantikwall, still recalls the last war.

Modern Zandvoort

HISTORY MENU

  • Overview
  • Zandvoort 1722-1825
  • Zandvoort 1825-1939
  • Zandvoort 1939-1945
  • Post-War Reconstruction
  • Zandvoort’s Bunkers
  • Development as a Resort
  • Modern Zandvoort
  • “Sanford Holland”
  • Zandvoort Coat of Arms
  • Town Hall – Raadhuis
  • Famous Hotels & Landmarks
    • Overview
    • Hotel Driehuizen
    • Hotel Groot Badhuis
    • Hotel d’Orange
    • The Kurhaus
    • The Passage
    • Zandvoort Water Tower
  • Famous Streets & Squares
    • Overview
    • Kerkstraat
    • Badhuisplein
    • Boulevard Barnaart
    • Boulevard de Favauge
    • Boulevard Paulus Loot
  • Old Zandvoort Postcards
    • Overview
    • Zandvoort People
    • Zandvoort Beach
    • Zandvoort Buildings
    • Zandvoort Streets
    • Busy By The Sea
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