In the museum
The Soviet War Cemetery Experience: More than a Museum
The Soviet War Cemetery Experience is not just any museum. It offers a compelling look at the deep and lasting impact of the war, not only on the soldiers at the front, but especially on the families who were left behind in uncertainty. You will get an impression of how an ordinary family struggled for years with the loss of a husband, father or son – without knowing whether he would ever return. The Experience also shows how an ally in the fight against Nazi Germany suddenly became our enemy after the war.
In Vladimir Botenko’s shoes
Who was Vladimir Botenko, and what was his life like? During your museum visit, you will experience his story up close. In 1941, Botenko said goodbye to his family and left for the front, a farewell that ultimately proved to be final. With our unique VR experience, you will not only experience what he went through, but also see how his disappearance affected and permanently marked his family. The experience offers a poignant view of the suffering that war causes far beyond the battlefield.
The forgotten ally
Our museum also tells the story of the ‘forgotten’ ally of the Second World War: an ally who made enormous sacrifices, but who afterwards – during the Cold War – was regarded as the new enemy. Discover how this crucial role was overlooked for a long time and what lasting impact this has had on our history.
The story behind the gravestones
At the Soviet War Cemetery in Leusden, 865 war victims from the Soviet Union are buried. Who were they? Where did they come from, and why are they here? Thanks to the research of the Soviet War Cemetery Foundation, these questions are increasingly being answered, bringing their stories—and those of the families left behind in uncertainty—finally to light.
Lidia Alexeyeva can no longer control her feelings, for the first time she visits the grave of her father Ivan Opalev”
Pjotr Koval
Vladimir Botenko
Pjotr Beljanski (right)
Ivan Remez
An impressive experience to enjoy together
Would you like to share a special experience with family, friends, or colleagues? The Soviet War Cemetery Experience offers a unique opportunity to discover the forgotten stories of Soviet soldiers and their families. Together, you step into a world of war, loss, and hope, experiencing how the past still impacts us today.
Personal stories
Sovjet War Cemetery
At the Soviet War Cemetery in Leusden, 865 war victims from the former Soviet Union are buried. They were taken as prisoners of war on the Eastern Front, transferred to Camp Amersfoort, and various other prisoner-of-war camps.
Koedriest Monument
The Koedriest Monument stands at the site where, after the war, the graves of 24 Soviet prisoners of war, among others, were uncovered.
