Open Monuments Day 2025 starts in Schiedam

ROTTERDAM, 14 July 2025 – This year’s national Open Monuments Day will officially launch in nearby Schiedam with a public evening programme highlighting the city’s architectural heritage. The event, hosted on 12 September, ties into Schiedam’s 750th anniversary celebrations.

 _{Photo caption: Schiedam City Hall. Photo: Cathelijne Beckand}

Open Monuments Day 2025 to launch with public event in Schiedam

Schiedam has been selected as the host city for the official launch of the VriendenLoterij Open Monumentendag (Open Monuments Day) 2025. The national event, which takes place annually across the Netherlands, will begin on Friday 12 September with an evening of cultural activities in and around the historic Lange Haven in Schiedam’s city centre.

The opening will be led by Open Monumentendag ambassador Janny van der Heijden and Schiedam’s mayor, Harald Bergmann. The launch event will include an outdoor show near the Havenkerk, followed by a cultural programme involving several local monuments.

Focus on heritage and architecture

This year’s Open Monuments Day theme is ‘Heritage & Architecture’, with the accompanying slogan ‘Gebouw(d) om te blijven’ (Built to last). The theme explores the durability and historical value of Dutch architectural heritage.

Schiedam’s 750th anniversary serves as a timely backdrop. Mayor Bergmann commented, “We are honoured to open Open Monuments Day in our anniversary year. Heritage should not only be preserved but also experienced. Schiedam celebrates the future.”

Friday 12 September evening programme

The public is invited to gather from 20:00 along the Lange Haven quays to enjoy a cultural pre-programme. The official launch will take place at 20:30, followed by an open programme from 21:00 to 23:00 where visitors may explore various monuments in the city centre, each hosting cultural activities. Entry is free of charge.

Han van der Horst, chair of the local committee, remarked, “The people of Schiedam are eager to welcome more visitors to their distinctive city centre this anniversary year.”

Photo caption: Havenkerk in Schiedam. Photo: Bob van der Vlist

National heritage weekend continues through 13 and 14 September

On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, over 5,000 monuments across the Netherlands will open their doors to the public, many of which are not usually accessible. Guided tours, exhibitions and cultural activities will highlight the stories and architectural value of Dutch heritage sites.

Event partners and supporters

The event is supported by the VriendenLoterij, WARP Systems, the National Restoration Fund, and the Dutch Association of Real Estate Agents and Valuers (NVM). The launch in Schiedam is produced in cooperation with the ‘Schiedam viert 750’ celebrations and the local Open Monuments Day committee.

About Open Monuments Day and its organiser

Open Monuments Day (Open Monumentendag) is held annually during the second weekend of September, organised by the foundation Nederland Monumentenland in collaboration with more than 300 local committees and 18,000 volunteers. The event aims to increase public appreciation of heritage by offering free access to significant historic locations.

The foundation also organises events such as the Open Monumenten Klassendag (Heritage Day for Schools), the National Monuments Conference, the Heritage Volunteers Award, and distributes the familiar Monumentenschildjes (monument plaques).

Directions to the Schiedam opening event

The launch and evening programme will take place near the Havenkerk and along the Lange Haven in Schiedam’s historic city centre. The area is accessible via Schiedam Centrum station, and several parking garages are located nearby. The surroundings are characterised by scenic canals, historic warehouses and traditional Dutch windmills.