Open Monumentendag (Heritage Days)

The Open Monumentendag (Heritage Days) annually explores and celebrates architecture, both in Amsterdam and the country at large. It is aimed at bringing people into contact with their heritage, and to stir interest in, and an understanding of, preserving historical monuments. On 10 and 11 September, thousands of historical buildings and sites (about 4,000) are open to the public free of charge.

At this year's edition - the 25th - the Open Monumentendag is looking forward. This year's theme is 'Re-use'; so instead of only dealing with conservation, it's all about new lives, new uses and new prospects for built heritage and sustainable development.

Besides opening their doors, many locations also organise on-site activities such as exhibitions, music and guided tours. Each year around 80 to 85 per cent of Dutch municipalities participate. In recent years, around 900,000 visitors have come annually, making the Open Monumentendag one of the Netherlands' premier cultural events.