HAPPENING 14–15 September | Join the celebration of living heritage at the annual Open Monuments Day (Open Monumentendag) in Rotterdam. Discover monuments, traditions, and artisan skills that define the city's legacy.
The annual Open Monument Day (Open Monumentendag), the largest cultural event in the Netherlands, is set to return on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September. Thousands of monuments across the country will open their doors for free, providing an opportunity to visit sites that are not usually accessible to the public. The event will feature nearly 1,000 monuments in Zuid-Holland alone, including several in Rotterdam.
This year marks the 38th edition of Open Monument Day, with a special focus on the theme 'Routes, Networks, and Connections' ('Routes, netwerken en verbindingen'). The theme will be explored through various exhibitions, guided tours, cycling routes, walks, and music performances at different heritage sites.
Highlights in Rotterdam
Stadswerf Koningspoort
At the Stadswerf Koningspoort, visitors can delve into Rotterdam's rich maritime history. The shipyard will showcase the historic tjalk Krimpenerwaard (1891), which will be partially open for viewing. Guided tours will provide insights into various aspects of the shipyard. On Saturday, the area will come alive as freerunners from Rotterdam Street Culture Week transform the Oude Haven and the historic shipyard into a dynamic stage with acrobatic performances.
Fenixloods II FENIX
Visitors will also have the opportunity to tour the construction site of FENIX during Open Monument Day. This historic harbour warehouse, dating back to 1923, is being transformed into a museum that will tell migration stories through an international art collection.
Other notable sites in Zuid-Holland
Paleis Kneuterdijk – The Hague
On Saturday, Paleis Kneuterdijk in The Hague will welcome visitors. Currently used by the Council of State, this palace was once the city palace of King William II and Queen Anna Pavlovna. The site includes the grand ballroom, the Gothic Hall, and a French garden, offering a glimpse into the royal past.
Historic tugboat harbour and Historic Trekvaart Day – Leiden
In Leiden, the historic tugboat harbour will feature several iconic tugboats such as De Oliebron (1958) and De Alba (1911). The city will also host the Historic Trekvaart Day on Sunday afternoon, further enlivening the event with various activities.
Molenviergang Aarlanderveen
A unique experience awaits at the Molenviergang in Aarlanderveen, the world's only functioning mill quartet. The site uses wind power to pump excess water from the deep polder into the Oude Rijn under the supervision of skilled millers.
Elfdorpentocht – Kaag en Braassem
The Elfdorpentocht offers a cycling route through eleven village centres in Kaag and Braassem, allowing participants to explore the region's iconic monuments. The Molennacht, or Mill Night, will be celebrated on Saturday evening.
Historic railway stations
The Dutch railway company NS is participating as a knowledge and communication partner this year. Nearly 90 monumental railway stations across the country, including Station Den Haag HS, will feature special activities. Visitors to Station Den Haag HS can explore the Royal Waiting Room (reservations required).
Monuments for sale – Vlaardingen
For those interested in unique properties, there will be an open house day for several private homes that are also listed as monuments. This includes an exclusive opportunity to view an apartment in a national monument at the Oude Haven in Vlaardingen.
Additional event details
OMD app
To facilitate easy access to all the monuments and activities, a dedicated Open Monument Day app (OMDapp) has been launched. The app allows users to search for monuments by name, city, or province, and provides a list or map view. It also offers navigation options using Google Maps and allows users to create personalised routes. The app is available for free on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
National opening ceremony
The national opening of Open Monument Day will be held on Friday evening, 13 September, at the Dudok Town Hall in Hilversum. The event will include a light art route featuring nine monuments and musical performances. The opening ceremony will be led by Janny van der Heijden, ambassador of Open Monument Day, with music by trumpeter André Heuvelman.
OMD photography competition
A photography competition will be held during Open Monument Day. William Rutten, a renowned photographer, will judge the entries alongside representatives from various heritage organisations. Prizes include a Kamera Express gift card worth €400 and other rewards. More information can be found at openmonumentendag.nl/omdfotowedstrijd/.
For a more complete list, have a look at the official Open Monuments Day website for Rotterdam.