Exhibition
3 May until 7 Sep 2025
Coming soonVoorstraat 46, Katwijk
SAILING FOR FREEDOM – The indispensable role of the merchant navy in WW II
From 3 May to 7 September 2025, the Netherlands Merchant Navy Personnel 1940-1945 Foundation is presenting the impressive exhibition ‘Sailing for Freedom’ in the Katwijks Museum.
This year we will commemorate 80 years of freedom and pay special attention to a little-known chapter in history: the crucial role of the Dutch merchant navy during the Second World War.
Come inside and experience the compelling story of the sailors who were forced to spend six long years at sea under life-threatening circumstances. Without their courage and perseverance Europe and Asia would not have been liberated.
Stirring photographs, personal objects, authentic ship models, impressive paintings and an imposing scale model of a convoy at sea bring their story to life.
Discover how Dutch merchant vessels played an indispensable role in supplying the Allied Forces, while exposed to torpedo attacks, mines and air attacks by bombers.
Get transported back in time, discover the stories and experience the sacrifices that thousands of sailors made for our freedom.
During this exhibition there will be guided tours and lectures in which experts and relatives of these brave men will go more deeply into this dramatic chapter of history.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity and visit the exhibition ‘Sailing for Freedom’ in the Katwijks Museum, a tribute to the sailors who fought virtually unarmed, but with unbreakable willpower.
The Katwijks Museum is located in the centre of Katwijk, at about 200 metres from the beach
Katwijks Museum
Voorstraat 46
2225 ER Katwijk ZH
Tel. +31714013047
Bank: NL 69 RABO 0391809555
VAT: NL 803878138B01
Chamber of Commerce: 41166458
General: info@katwijksmuseum.nl
Board (via secretary): secretaris@katwijksmuseum.nl
Sales and Marketing: pr@katwijksmuseum.nl
By train
Leiden Central Station, and then go on by bus
By bus
From outside Leiden Central Station, take bus 431 (R-net) and get off at bus stop Katwijk Centrum, or take bus 90 from Leiden Central Station (direction Boulevard) and get off at bus stop Nieuw Brittenburg.
From Lisse, take bus 90 to Boulevard and get off at bus stop Nieuw Brittenburg.
By car
From A44, exit 8, signed Leiden/Valkenburg/Katwijk, via N206.
Paid parking available in the underground car parks on Boulevard and in Tramstraat, both within a few minutes’ walking distance from the museum. From October 1st until March 31st, parking in the underground car parks is free for the first two hours.
There are two parking spaces for disabled visitors in the immediate vicinity of the museum: one diagonally across from the museum in Voorstraat (in front of Hoogvliet supermarket) and one at the corner of Voorstraat/Museumstraat, adjacent to the museum.
Directions to either parking space: Tramstraat, Noordeinde, Dwarsstraat, Elleboogstraat, Louwestraat, Voorstraat.
You can also park at the car park behind Hoogvliet supermarket, which is accessible via Elleboogstraat. Entering the supermarket at the back, and exiting at the main entrance, you will find yourself immediately in front of the museum.
To plan your trip by public transport: go to 9292ov.nl
Welcome to the Katwijks Museum, the museum by the sea.
If you have any questions about your visit, please contact us at info@katwijksmuseum.nl. We are always happy to help. Guided tours can be requested via bezoek@katwijksmuseum.nl
More information about the beautiful seaside village of Katwijk available on:
| Adults: | €10,50 |
| Ages 13-17: | € 4,00 |
| Children under 13 | Free |
| CJP card holders: | € 5,00 |
| Netherlands Museum Pass: | Free |
| Rembrandt Pass: Vereniging Rembrandt |
Free |
| ICOM card holders: | Free |
| Vriend van het Katwijks Museum: | Free |
| Genootschap Oud Katwijk members: | Free, once a year, on presentation of membership card |
| Guided tours by appointment | |
| Tours, with a maximum of 10 visitors per museum attendant: | € 25,00 |
| Group bookings (including tour and coffee and cakes): | bezoek@katwijksmuseum.nl |
| Tours available in Dutch, German or English | Free (see events calendar) |
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