Arnhem

Arnhem is a city and municipality in the eastern part of the Netherlands, close to the German border. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and sits on both sides of the rivers Nederrijn and Sint-Jansbeek. These rivers helped the city grow and develop over time.

The city is home to many important places, such as the Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen, ArtEZ Institute of the Arts, the Netherlands Open Air Museum, and the Royal Burgers' Zoo. It also has the NOC*NSF and the National Sports Centre Papendal. Part of the city's area is within the Hoge Veluwe National Park. Arnhem covers about 55 square kilometres, featuring heathlands, sand dunes, and woodlands.

History

Early history

The oldest signs of people living around Arnhem are two stones from about 70,000 years ago, from a time when Neanderthals lived in Europe. In Schuytgraaf, old remains of a hunters' camp from around 5000 BC have been found. In Schaarsbergen, twelve grave mounds from 2400 BC show the start of farming in the area.

The first known settlement in Arnhem dates back to 1500 BC, with traces found on the Hoogkamp. In the inner city, near the Sint-Jansbeek, signs of people living there go back to around 700 BC. South of the Rhine, traces of people have been found from around 500 BC.

Middle Ages

Arnhem was first mentioned in 893 as Arneym or Arentheym. In 1233, Count Otto II of Guelders gave the town city rights, and it joined the Hanseatic League in 1443. In 1473, it was captured by Charles the Bold of Burgundy.

16th and 17th century

In 1514, Charles of Egmond took control of Arnhem. By 1543, it became part of the empire under Charles V. Arnhem joined the Union of Utrecht in 1579 during the Eighty Years' War and became part of the Republic of the Seven United Provinces after Dutch and English troops captured it from Spanish forces in 1585. The French occupied the town from 1672 to 1674.

18th and 19th century

From 1795 to 1813, French forces occupied Arnhem. In the early 1800s, old walls were torn down to make space for growth. Arnhem became known as a beautiful resort town in the 19th century, famous for its parks and greenery.

20th century

World War II

During World War II, Arnhem was occupied by German forces. In September 1944, British and Polish troops tried to capture a bridge in Arnhem as part of Operation Market Garden. They faced strong German resistance and were unable to hold the bridge. The battle ended with the British forces withdrawing by September 26. The bridge was later renamed the John Frost Bridge in honor of the British commander. The current bridge is the third one built at the same spot, with the first destroyed by the Dutch Army in 1940 and the second by the United States Army Air Forces after the 1944 battle. Arnhem was liberated in April 1945 by British troops, and the city was fully rebuilt by 1969.

1945–1999

Arnhem hosted the 1980 Summer Paralympics.

21st century

On March 6, 2025, a major fire broke out in Arnhem, destroying a block of shops and apartments in the historic city center.

Geography

Arnhem is a city in the Netherlands. It is split into three main parts and has 24 smaller areas. Each of these areas has its own number that matches a special code used for mailing letters.

The city is close to several small towns and villages. It is also not too far from the border with Germany, which means some people live just across the border but work in Arnhem.

Arnhem has the same kind of weather as the rest of the Netherlands, with gentle seasons and plenty of rain.

Demographics

Inhabitants by nationality

Places of interest

Arnhem has many interesting places to visit. One of them is the Grote Kerk (St. Eusebius' Church), which was built between 1452 and 1560. Much of its tower was lost during World War II, but a new part was added in 1964. The tower is not officially part of the church and belongs to the city.

Another notable building is the town hall, which has been in the house of Maarten van Rossum since 1830. Its special decorations led to its nickname, Duivelshuis (devil's house). The Netherlands Open Air Museum is just outside the city. It shows old houses, farms, factories, and windmills from across the Netherlands. Inside Arnhem, you can also visit two windmills called De Hoop and De Kroon.

The Royal Burgers' Zoo is one of the largest and most popular zoos in the Netherlands. It has special areas like an underwater walk, a desert, a mangrove, and a rainforest. The GelreDome is home to the city's football team, Vitesse Arnhem. This stadium has a retractable roof and a special grass pitch that can slide out.

The KEMA Toren is the tallest structure in the town, standing at 140 meters high.

Parks

Sonsbeek Park (Urban park)

Zypendaal Park

Veluwezoom National Park

Hoge Veluwe National Park

Museums in and around Arnhem

Netherlands Open Air Museum

Airborne Museum 'Hartenstein'

Gemeentemuseum

Museum Bronbeek

Buildings and locations

Musis Sacrum

Arnhem Centrum

Central Station

Burgers Zoo

Events

Arnhem hosts many fun events throughout the year. Some of the popular ones include the Airborne Commemoration, World Statues Festival (The World Championship of Living Statues), Sonsbeek Theater Avenue, Free Your Mind Festival, Dancetour, 8Bahn, De Rabo Bridge to Bridge (Marathon), UITboulevard (Cultural Festival), Sprookjesfestival (Fairy tale Festival), King's Day, Sinterklaas, Hoogte80, and ASM Festival.

Sport

The National Sports Centre Papendal is the main sports centre for the Netherlands and is found in Arnhem. It began with the 1980 Summer Paralympics but was fully developed starting in 1993.

NOC*NSF connects many sports groups, and Papendal is also where the football club Vitesse Arnhem trains. The centre has rooms for meetings and a hotel too.

Arnhem’s most popular team is Vitesse Arnhem, which plays in the GelreDome. The city also has a dance group called Introdans.

Transport

Arnhem is a central place in the eastern Netherlands for trains, roads, and water travel. You can ride bikes here easily, with a long bike path called the RijnWaalpad linking Arnhem to Nijmegen. Trains have stopped at Arnhem Centraal railway station since 1845, connecting the city to places like Utrecht and Düsseldorf. Arnhem also has a special bus system called a trolleybus system.

Notable people

Arnhem is a city where many interesting people were born or lived. Some of them became well-known in different fields like acting, music, sports, and more. For example, there are actors, singers, writers, and even a Nobel Prize winner who all have ties to Arnhem. The city has produced talent in many areas, making it a special place for culture and achievement.

Facts and figures

Arnhem is also the name of a march written by A.E. Kelly. There is a place in Australia called Arnhem Land, named after a ship called Arnhem from the VOC.

Two films tell stories from history: Theirs is the Glory, also known as Men of Arnhem, is a 1946 British war film about events during World War II. Another film, A Bridge Too Far, also discusses important moments from that time.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Netherlands

Arnhem has friendly partnerships with several cities around the world. These include:

• Coventry, England, United Kingdom
• Croydon, England, United Kingdom
• Gera, Germany
• Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
• Kimberley, South Africa
• Villa El Salvador, Peru
• Airdrie, Scotland, United Kingdom