ROTTERDAM, 13 March 2025 – Schiedam has been announced as the host city for the national opening of Open Monuments Day 2025, marking a significant cultural moment for the historic city.
Schiedam to host national Open Monuments Day 2025 opening
Schiedam will serve as the host city for the national opening of the VriendenLoterij Open Monuments Day in 2025. In a symbolic gesture, the golden Open Monuments Day key was handed over by Hilversum's mayor, Gerhard van den Top, to Schiedam's mayor, Harald Bergmann.
The official opening will take place on Friday, 12 September 2025, during an event at the historic Lange Haven. TV personality and food expert Janny van der Heijden will join Mayor Bergmann in inaugurating the festivities, followed by an artistic programme set within and around Schiedam’s historic monuments.
Focus on heritage and architecture
The theme for Open Monuments Day 2025 is ‘Heritage & Architecture’ (Erfgoed & Architectuur), with the slogan 'Built to last' (Gebouw(d) om te blijven). Schiedam’s rich architectural history, featuring historic distilleries, monumental windmills, and the characteristic ‘brandershuizen’ houses, provides an ideal backdrop for the event.
Mayor Bergmann expressed enthusiasm about the occasion, stating, "We are incredibly proud that Schiedam will open this year’s Open Monuments Day. With Schiedam celebrating its 750th anniversary throughout 2025, this national event is a perfect addition to our cultural programme."
Mayor van den Top reflected on Hilversum's hosting experience: "Our opening was a highlight of our own 600th anniversary, largely thanks to the dedication of volunteers. I am confident Schiedam will showcase its unique heritage in a remarkable way."
A weekend of cultural activities
The VriendenLoterij Open Monuments Day will span the weekend following the official opening, with thousands of heritage sites across the Netherlands opening their doors to the public. Visitors can expect free access to numerous monuments, guided tours, exhibitions, and cultural activities designed to highlight the nation's rich architectural heritage.
The opening event in Schiedam is part of the ‘Schiedam viert 750’ programme and is organised in cooperation with the Open Monuments Day committee in Schiedam. The initiative is supported by various partners, including the VriendenLoterij, WARP Systems, the National Restoration Fund, the Dutch Cooperative Association of Estate Agents (NVM), the Municipality of Schiedam, and other local organisations.
About Open Monuments Day
The VriendenLoterij Open Monuments Day has been an annual event since 1987, held every second weekend in September. Organised by the Netherlands Monuments Foundation (Nederland Monumentenland), it involves over 300 local committees and 18,000 volunteers across the country. The event attracts around 1.5 million visitors each year, aiming to increase public interest in heritage preservation.
About Nederland Monumentenland
Nederland Monumentenland connects historic sites with the daily lives of Dutch citizens. By encouraging engagement between monument owners, heritage professionals, and the public, the organisation promotes cultural awareness and the importance of preserving national heritage. The foundation also manages the Open Monuments School Day (Open Monumenten Klassendag), the National Monuments Congress, and the Heritage Volunteer Award.
