Located in the Opekta building on the Prinsengracht canal at number 263, the Secret Annex occupied the top two floors and the attic in the rear of the building. During the evenings and on non-business days, the eight in hiding could also venture down to the first floor.
  The Movable Bookcase
  The floor plan of the Secret Annex while the family was in hiding. The entrance to the Secret Annex is labeled ‘swinging cupboard’ rather than bookcase. “Now our Secret Annex has truly become secret. Because so many houses are being searched for hidden bicycles, Mr. Kugler thought it would be better to have a bookcase built in front of the entrance to our hiding place. It swings out on its hinges and opens like a door.”Anne Frank as recorded in her diary August 21, 1942
Anne's Room: Peter's Room:   Although the actual furnishings were removed by the Nazis after the hiding place was discovered, the Secret Annex was temporarily refurnished several years ago to reflect the atmosphere of the hiding period based on descriptions from Miep Gies and information from Anne’s diary. Most of these pictures are from that recreation.
This is the attic. From the window, the Westerkerk (church) is visible, whose Westertorten (clock tower) Anne describes hearing.
"Daddy, Mummy and Margot can't get used to the sound of the Westertoren clock yet, which tells us the time every quarter of an hour. I can. I loved it from the start, and especially in the night it's like a faithful friend." Anne Frank as recorded in her diary on July 11, 1942 |
The Secret Annex
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Create your own Annex
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