Eusebius church, icon of reconstruction

The Battle of Arnhem was part of Operation Market Garden and lasted from 17 to 25 September 1944. Arnhem was heavily hit and largely destroyed. The Eusebius Church was not spared either. In the night of 19 to 20 September, during the fighting between the British and the German occupiers, the church was shelled and almost completely burned down. The centuries-old wooden interior and roofs were lost. The Eusebius Tower narrowly survived, but was so damaged that when the Rhine Bridge was blown up in the winter of 1944/1945, the tower eventually collapsed entirely.

Those who see the photos of the ruins will understand that the current Eusebius Church was largely rebuilt through a major restoration. The church rose again during the reconstruction period (1947–1964) and gave the city and its inhabitants their pride back. From the church tower, you have a view of the places where the fighting took place. From the glass balconies on the Eusebius Tower, you have a clear view of the impressive John Frost Bridge.

Places full of war stories

The tower of the Eusebius Church is 93 meters high and was rebuilt after the Battle of Arnhem in World War II according to a new design. On various floors, you can step out and learn more about the Battle of Arnhem and the reconstruction after World War II.

On the first floor of the tower, an exhibition and an animated film introduce you to Jan Mijnhart. He tells his personal story as the sexton of the Eusebius Church. He talks about his preparations for the church services and the Sunday of 17 September 1944—the moment the Battle of Arnhem began. In this space, Wim Bozelie also shares his story. He was the commander of the fire watch. Together with volunteers from the air raid protection service, he stayed in the tower to protect the Eusebius Church from fire during the Battle of Arnhem.

Themed route: 'War in Arnhem'

From the glass balconies on the tower, you can experience a phenomenal view over Arnhem and its surroundings. This is a perfect starting point to explore the thematic route "War in Arnhem", which includes monuments, visiting locations, memorial sites, and stories. Since 26 August 2026, the Eusebius Church has also been visibly connected to the walking network of the Liberation Route Europe. On that day, a "Wall Vector of Memory" was unveiled at the entrance of the church by Tjienta van Pelt, alderman for commemoration and heritage in the municipality of Arnhem. The monument marks the special war history of this iconic place.