Our 14 hour layover in Amsterdam gave us plenty of time to visit the Corrie Ten Boom Museum in Haarlem.  Admission to the museum was free but the tickets for the 20 minute train ride were not.  We would have had time to site see in Amsterdam as well but it was cold and drizzly, we were exhausted and nothing was in walking distance from the train station.  Haarlem is a wonderful city with beautiful architecture, cobblestone streets, windmills and bicycles everywhere. Our delayed trip and lengthy layover ended up being a blessing, giving us the opportunity for a once in a lifetime field trip.

The triangle sign was an "all is well" signal for members of the underground.

The narrow steps they had to run up during drills and the actual raid.

The hole was knocked out for museum visitors to see inside.

The Plaque in the background says:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.  Psalm 51-1-3

 “May this plaque be an expression of our shame and grief over the serious crime that our German people committed against Holland during World War II.  May it also be a token of love and gratitude to the Dutch people, who assisted the Jews while they were being persecuted and who responded to the injustices of our German nation by showing goodness to God’s chosen people.”

Four Jews and two members of the underground successfully hid in this tiny space for two solid days.