Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial
A moving World War II memorial in the Netherlands, honoring American soldiers and the enduring bond with the Dutch community.
The Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, located in Margraten, is a poignant tribute to the American soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War II. It is the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands. The cemetery is located near the historic Cologne-Boulogne highway, a route used by Romans, Charlemagne, Napoleon, and Kaiser Wilhelm II. The U.S. 30th Infantry Division liberated the site on September 13, 1944, and the cemetery was established shortly thereafter. The cemetery covers 65.5 acres and contains the graves of 8,301 American war dead. Their headstones are set in long, graceful curves across the landscape. A memorial tower rises above the Court of Honor, with a reflecting pool and a statue representing loss. Tablets of the Missing record the names of 1,722 individuals. Within the tower, a chapel offers a space for quiet contemplation. Unique to this cemetery is the deep connection with the Dutch people. Since 1945, locals have adopted the graves of the fallen, bringing flowers and researching the lives of the service members. The Foundation for Adopting Graves at the American Cemetery Margraten manages this program. The Foundation United Adopters American War Graves has created The Faces of Margraten program, displaying photos of the fallen during Dutch Memorial Day weekend. A visitor center opened in 2024, offering exhibits and a film about the soldiers' experiences. The cemetery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except December 25 and January 1. Admission is free.
Local tips
- Consider attending the Dutch Memorial Day commemorations held annually at the cemetery.
- Visit the new visitor center to learn more about the history of the cemetery and the personal stories of the soldiers.
- Take time to reflect at the Court of Honor, with its reflecting pool and memorial tower.
A brief summary to Netherlands American Cemetery
- Amerikaanse Begraafplaats 1, Margraten, 6269 NA, NL
- +31434581208
- Visit website
- Monday 9 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
- Thursday 9 am-5 pm
- Friday 9 am-5 pm
- Saturday 9 am-5 pm
- Sunday 9 am-5 pm
Getting There
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Public Transport
From Maastricht, take bus #350 from the Maastricht central train station towards Vaals. The bus stops directly in front of the cemetery on the main road N278. During cemetery hours, the bus typically stops every 20 minutes. A single fare costs approximately €2-€4.
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Taxi
From Maastricht, a taxi to the Netherlands American Cemetery takes about 13 minutes and costs approximately €40-€50.
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Car
The Netherlands American Cemetery is located on the main road N278, between Maastricht and Vaals. From Maastricht, follow the N278 towards Vaals. The cemetery will be on your right after approximately 10 kilometers. Parking is available at the cemetery. Overflow parking is also available during peak season. Parking is free.
