ARTIS — Attraction in Amsterdam

Title: Majestic Encounters: Gorillas and Giraffes at ARTIS Zoo

Our visit to ARTIS Zoo in Amsterdam before Covid was an enchanting experience, made all the more unforgettable by the remarkable gorillas and elegant giraffes we had the privilege to observe. As a mum from London, I'm excited to share our captivating encounter with these majestic creatures.

The gorilla exhibit at ARTIS Zoo was a true marvel. Watching the gorillas interact with each other and their surroundings was a sight to behold. Their strength and grace left us in awe, and we felt incredibly lucky to witness these incredible animals up close.

Seeing the gorilla families was heartwarming. The way they cared for each other and their little ones was a touching reminder of the strong family bonds that exist in the animal kingdom. It was a joy to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat-inspired enclosure.

The giraffes at ARTIS Zoo were equally captivating. Their tall, graceful forms stood out against the horizon, and we couldn't help but be mesmerized by their elegance. Watching them move with such grace was a true privilege.

ARTIS Zoo's informative signs provided us with valuable insights into the lives of these animals. Learning about their behaviors, habitats, and conservation efforts added depth to our appreciation for both gorillas and giraffes.

The moments we spent observing these magnificent creatures were nothing short of magical. The expressions on my children's faces as they watched the gorillas and giraffes were priceless – a true testament to the wonder that these animals inspire.

Our time at the gorilla and giraffe exhibits allowed us to reflect on the beauty and diversity of life on our planet. It was a humbling experience that prompted meaningful conversations with my children about our responsibility to protect and care for these incredible animals and their habitats.

In conclusion, the gorilla and giraffe encounters at ARTIS Zoo were among the most captivating highlights of our visit before Covid. For families like ours, these moments provided not only entertainment but also valuable lessons about the natural world. If you're a mum from London planning a trip to ARTIS, I highly recommend taking the time to immerse yourself in the magic of these two extraordinary species. The memories you create will be cherished for...

Artis is one of the oldest and most atmospheric zoos in Europe, located right in the heart of Amsterdam. It was founded in 1838 by three Amsterdam citizens — Gerard Westerman, Jannis van den Ham, and Willem Westenberger. Their goal was to create a place where people could study nature and science, combining education with beauty and art — hence the zoo’s full Latin name: Natura Artis Magistra, meaning “Nature is the teacher of art.” Over time, the public began referring to the zoo simply as “Artis,” since most visitors entered through the gate bearing that inscription. Initially, Artis was open only to members of the society, but in 1851, it officially opened to the general public. Artis is not just a zoo, but a scientific and cultural complex with the atmosphere of the 19th century. It houses an aquarium built in 1882 in classic Victorian style, and a planetarium, opened in 1988, located in a 19th-century building designed in a traditional classical style. Scattered throughout the grounds are numerous historical structures dating back to the late 1800s — including old pavilions, storage buildings, and animal enclosures — which give the zoo its uniquely historic European charm. Today, Artis also includes a botanical garden, an extensive collection of butterflies and insects, and Micropia — the world’s first and only museum dedicated to microbes, which opened in 2014 and offers a fascinating glimpse into the invisible world of microorganisms. Remarkably, during World War II, the zoo continued to operate under Nazi occupation. Some of the staff at Artis even hid Jewish people from the Nazis within the zoo — in animal enclosures, utility rooms, and cellars — risking their lives to protect others. Since the late 20th century, Artis has undergone significant transformation. Old cages have been replaced with more natural, spacious environments for the animals, and the zoo has increasingly focused on environmental education, sustainability, and scientific outreach. Its library still houses rare scientific works, and the entire site remains a unique intersection of nature, science, culture, and history — all nestled in the heart of the city...

Artis Zoo is a beautiful place. It is well maintained with a vast array of animals. All enclosures are clean, with areas for the animals to hide and seek shade. The information files for each animal are written in Dutch and English.

The park is very accessible with plenty of rest spots. There are wide pathways to accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs. The walk ways are kept clear and the landscaping is impeccable. A wide array of plants and flowers is a nirvana for the pollinators.

The free map of the Zoo helps you to navigate the vast area and see any animals you'd like.

We have visited Artis many times, the one notable difference on this visit was the notable reduction in staff. There has always been a strong presence of Artis staff, but this visit, there was a real reduction. This was most noticeable when some visitors were interacting with enclosures in a disappointing way: In the butterfly enclosure, several children were attempting to grab butterflies out of the air and picking them up from the feeding platform. In the gorilla enclosure a group of children were screaming and banging on the glass loudly. By the giraffes a group of young boys were poking the giraffe through the fence. We even saw a child chasing an Egyptian Goose around a seating area. While it is true that parents should be responsible for their children, there is a a responsibility for Artis to protect the animals and this requires staffing. I'm hoping it was just a bad day.

The staff who were present were kind, friendly and helpful.

We ended our visit with the planetarium movie, we were able to use a headset with English Audio and it was very interesting and informative. We also visited the cafe which was rather expensive, but it costs a lot to maintain a zoo. There are picnic benches so you can bring your own food and drink.

There are toilets dotted around and disabled access toilets. They could really use a scrub down with bleach as the smell is...