George Maduro
A living tribute to a war hero
Madurodam is not just an attraction park: it’s also a war memorial. It serves as a living memory of the courage of a man who gave his life for his country and fellow human beings. George Maduro, the war hero after whom our park is named, reminds us every day of the power of bravery and sacrifice. Perhaps the most cheerful war memorial in the world, but without a doubt one full of meaning.
Mrs Boon-van der Starp
Mrs Boon-van der Starp is the founder of Madurodam. She was a member of the board of the Dutch Students’ Sanatorium. In the sanatorium, students with tuberculosis could recover and study at the same time. Mrs Boon-van der Starp was looking for a way to collect money for the sanatorium and came up with the miniature city. In the years following the Second World War, this was a matter of national importance: The Netherlands was being rebuilt and Madurodam was building with it. The park offered a place for the shared history of the battered Netherlands as well as hope for the future.
A brave assault against the German occupiers
George Maduro was born on July 15, 1916, on the island of Curaçao. After finishing high school in The Hague, the Sephardic Jewish student went on to study law at Leiden University. But when Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940, George was ready. As a reserve officer in the Dutch army, he displayed incredible bravery by leading his unit in an assault against German troops attempting to capture The Hague. After the Netherlands surrendered on May 10, 1940, George joined the resistance, helping Allied pilots escape to England, among other courageous acts.
A hero we must keep remembering
George’s story is one of a man who put the safety of others before his own. It is a tale of courage, sacrifice, and a deep-rooted love for the Netherlands. He was captured by the Germans, but refused to escape when given the chance — choosing instead to help fellow prisoners. Eventually, he was deported to the Dachau concentration camp, where he died on February 8, 1945, just before the camp was liberated by American forces. He was only 28 years old.
George’s heroism was posthumously recognized: on May 9, 1946, he was awarded the Knight 4th Class of the Military Order of William, the Netherlands’ highest military honor. But his parents wanted a lasting tribute to their son. With their donation, the initial funding for Madurodam was made possible — and so the park that would carry George’s memory was born.
A story that lives on
The story of George Maduro is not just a piece of history — it remains a lasting source of inspiration. It reminds us of the importance of self-sacrifice, bravery, and helping others, even in the darkest of times.
"Let the memory of me be your pride," George wrote in one of his final letters to his parents. And that is exactly what we do at Madurodam: we keep his memory alive.
Since 2020, George Maduro has been officially included in the Canon of the Netherlands, a tribute to his unforgettable contribution to our freedom and history.
“Let the memory of me be your pride”
George Maduro, 1916 – 1945
