Marcel Burger - Third time's the charm

The John Frost Bridge in Arnhem, the Netherlands, at sunrise. November 2008.

Arnhem: A bridge too far

For history buffs, the city of Arnhem in the Netherlands is primarily known of "the bridge too far". When Allied forces tried to push back the Nazi-Germans in 1944, they succeeded to capture the river connections of two rivers, but failed to secure the bridge over the river Rhine in Arnhem. The outcome of Operation Market Garden - which lenghtened the occupation of large parts of the Netherlands by eight months - has been greatly illustrated in Richard Attenborough's epic 1977 film "A bridge too far".

Up to today, Arnhem still attracts tens of thousands of tourists every day because of the historic defeat, with the highlight in September with airborne droppings on the Ginkel Heath fields in adjacent Ede, and the Airborne March - which apparently is the world's biggest commemorative one-day hiking event.

The commemorative Airborne Para Jump over the Ginkel Heath fields in nearby Ede, September 2003. A World War 2 veteran, sporting an airborne-red baret watches while present-day soldiers float down to the ground.

A paratrooper nearing the ground

More than half a dozen out of hundreds of present-day soldiers are about to land on the Ginkel Heath fields in Ede, September 2023.

Back in 2003, World War 2 veteran paratroopers still took part in the commemorative para jump every September in Ede near Arnhem.

A Lockheed C-130 cargo plane cruises over, while paratroopers are floating down the ground below.

Shutes still in the opening process, paratroopers jump out of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules military cargo plane over Ginkel Heath.

The "real" Arnhem

Arnhem's city centre lies on the northern banks of the river Rhine. At the turn of the Millennium, I called this my home for many years. For the traditional "northerners" the city expanded on the southern banks is not the "real" Arnhem - or at least that was a common phrase with whom I teased a close friend with until he moved into the flat below mine.

The city centre has practically everything one could wish for: cute shops, chain stores, a gorgeous new library, good places to stay, film theatres, and music venues. Since Arnhem is a relatively small city of less than 170,000 inhabitants, much of the highlights are easily reachable on foot. For destinations further away, the city public transport still relies partly on the trolleybuses - a unique experience in the Netherlands.

Arnhem Central station with its characteristic tower in 2017.

Rooftop view of the inner-city of Arnhem, with the Koepelkerk (Dome Church) dominating the view. June 2014.

The Party Aardvark in the centre of Arnhem, 2016. A giant work of art by Florentijn Hofman, it was gifted to the city by Burgers' Zoo in September 2013. With a length of 30 metres (120 feet) and a height of 9 metres (27 feet) it was an eye-catcher opposite the new library that opened at the end of the same year. In June 2021 the 150,000 kilos (330,693 pounds) heavy statue was taken away in parts for maintenance, but did not return.

The "Devil's House" is the nickname of the oldest part of the current city hall of Arnhem. It got its name thanks to the satyr figures in its facade. It dates back to the year 1518. In 1968 the building was expended with the modern white construction, after which the municipality moved from its nearby old city hall into the new. The Mayor of Arnhem resides in the Devil's House. Photo taken in January 2009.

Park Sonsbeek

Park Sonsbeek is the gorgeous city park of Arnhem. A green lung with an attractive variety of mini landscapes of 200 hectares big, if one includes the adjacent parks of Zijpendaal and Gulden Bodem. The park closest to the inner-city was named after a wealthy 17th Century Arnhem lady: Anna van Sonsbeeck. The beech forest rich park is remarkably hilly, and that makes it atypical for the normally flat Netherlands. Park Sonsbeek is a joy to walk through, every time again.

A young lady doing homework in Park Sonsbeek, May 2004

Wandering through the open spaces near the White Villa.

The forest parts are great.

An autumn day at the nice waterfall that one can even creep behind if one wishes.

The White Villa, a restaurant, of Park Sonsbeek, September 2008.

A swan reflects with the White Villa in a Sonsbeek pond.

At the old water mill.

A bicycle with basket near the old water mill.

A person made of garbage. Art work of the Festival Grandeur 2008 in Park Sonsbeek.

A giant balloon. Art work of the Festival Grandeur 2008 in Park Sonsbeek.

Klarendal

My old 'hood Klarendal, and adjacent Sint Marten, are slowly transforming themselves. From a place where drugs deals were common decades ago, to a settlement for new fashion ateliers, boutiques and trendy restaurants. Both neighbourhoods have become popular to live. Photos of Klarendal taken during a trip through memory lane back in 2017.

The core road of Klarendal, the Klarendalseweg, with the wind mill De Kroon (The Crown) stealing the show.

The old St. Peter's Institution

Café Sailor, a typical local pub

Blossom trees in Klarendal

A local vegetable shop

Trendy front doors.

A street garden in Klarendal

An historic car parked in the far east of Klarendal.

Interior of an historic car parked in the far east of Klarendal.

A white bicycle with wooden cargo box parked in one of the streets of Klarendal.

Corny cat in a outer wall house.

Modern wall art.

A welcome sign in German.

Small fun things in Klarendal are the art boxes on the outer wall.

The Netherlands Open Air Museum in Arnhem

Arnhem is host city of the Netherlands Open Air Museum. Click here to see my recent dedicated gallery of the national open air museum of the Netherlands, with short descriptions of historic buildings brought together in a beautiful setting.

National Park De Hoge Veluwe

Just north of Arnhem lies a vast nature zone of the Veluwe, including one of the main national parks of the Netherlands. It is a perfect escape from Arnhem by bicycle. And for those who do not have one with them, get there by bus or car and take a free white bicycle through the national park. See my dedicated gallery Veluwe for more photographs.

Taking a white bicycle through the National Park De Hoge Veluwe is a joy. Cycle paths are narrow but give spectacular views. Photo taken in July 2008.

Central part of the National Park De Hoge Veluwe is the sandy mini desert, with some characteristic trees.