Arnhem is the capital of the Dutch province of Gelderland and is called the “Garden City on the Rhine ”. First mentioned in the 9th cent., Arnhem was long the residence of the dukes of Gelderland. To World War II veterans Arnhem is known as the city of "A Bridge Too Far". During World War II British airborne troops suffered a serious defeat here in September 1944.The city was heavily damaged in World War II; indeed, its important position on the Rhine has led to it being captured, stormed and occupied on many occasions during its long history. There are many museums that trace the history of the conflict and in particular the destruction of Arnhem itself. Now rebuilt, Arnhem is a prosperous town that sometimes lacks a bit of character. The old part of the town has, however, been beautifully rebuilt. There is a large open-air museum near Arnhem showing a collection of old farms, mills, houses and workshops, all of which have been brought together to form a splendid park. Not far from the town centre there is a zoo and a safari park.The Nederlands Openluchtmuseum is a fascinating array of buildings and artefacts gathered from every Province in the country. Admire trams, windmills, provincial furniture and a huge array of tools drawn from every corner of the country.In the nearby De Hoge Veluwe National Park, an area of marsh, forest and sand dunes is a wonderful art museum housing many works by the French Impressionists.