Photo: Flyboard artist with the OMD golden key, Credits: Jurgen Huiskes

Imagine stepping through a doorway that is usually closed, into a space filled with stories of resilience, craft and community. That is the magic of the European Heritage Days, which began in France in 1984 and soon spread across Europe under the joint coordination of the Council of Europe and the European Union.

In the Netherlands, this tradition is known as Open Monumentendag (OMD), now in its 38th year. The nationwide programme, VriendenLoterij Open Monumentendag, is an initiative of the Nederland Monumentenland Foundation in partnership with local committees. Each year, thousands of monuments – from medieval churches to modernist buildings – open their doors to the public for free. The main partner is the VriendenLoterij, whose multi-year support makes the event possible, alongside other partners including WARP Systems, the National Restoration Fund, and the NVM.

The official opening for 2025 took place on Friday 12 September in Schiedam, the opening city in its 750th anniversary year. Open Monumentendag ambassador Janny van der Heijden and Mayor Harald Bergmann launched the event with a spectacular cultural show along the historic Lange Haven, followed by an evening programme of performances and visits to monuments across the city centre. Even a flyboard artist joined the celebrations, carrying the symbolic OMD golden key over the canals. 

“The two days in September open doors, but especially eyes. Not only to the past, but hopefully also to the importance of preservation. What seems obvious today—a church, a house, a factory building, or a farm—could be lost tomorrow without attention and care. Heritage doesn't protect itself. That's our job. Every visitor who enters a building this weekend will be introduced to a bygone era. And hopefully, they will feel the importance of that protection, so that we can pass on all that beauty to future generations,” said Janny van der Heijden.

The nationwide celebration continued over the weekend of 13–14 September, when visitors explored unique monuments, exhibitions, guided tours, and other activities across the country.

For a visitor, a day at Open Monumentendag unfolds like a journey through time across the Netherlands. From the moment the doors open, you move through spaces filled with history, creativity, and human stories. Each stop reveals a new layer of the country’s heritage – from past lives and craftsmanship to contemporary interpretations of architecture and community. Throughout the day, the rhythm of discovery carries you from one place to another, inviting reflection, curiosity, and a sense of connection. Across the Netherlands, this experience shows that heritage is not just preserved in bricks and mortar, but lived, shared, and continually renewed.

Curious how Open Monumentendag unfolded on the ground? Discover the in-depth look at the Rotterdam edition, with highlights from four remarkable sites.