Apeldoorn is celebrating 40 years of Open Monument Days with nearly 30 special venues

This year is particularly special: the Open Monument Days are being organised nationwide for the 40th time. Apeldoorn is also taking part for the 40th time. That is why the number of participating venues has been expanded. The programme offers a wonderful mix of monuments, stories, exhibitions, guided tours, walks and music.

Heritage that endures

The theme ‘Resilient heritage’ focuses on monuments that have faced changes and threats over the years, yet have nevertheless been preserved. The Apeldoorn Open Monument Days committee has therefore added new venues to the programme alongside the familiar participants.

“Heritage tells us where we come from and helps us to better understand our surroundings. How wonderful is it that heritage is still used and serves a purpose even in our time? During the Open Monument Days, you can discover for yourself just how special and resilient our heritage is. I warmly invite you to get out and about and visit places you may never have been to before.”
-Peter Messerschmidt, Councillor for Culture and Heritage

From nuclear bunker to country estate

There is plenty to see and do over the weekend. At the Brinklaankelder – which could have been converted into a nuclear bunker – you can join a guided tour led by the Apeldoorn Guides’ Collective every quarter of an hour. Groups are limited to a maximum of ten people. De Ploeg Estate in Wiesel is also taking part. You can explore the estate and visit a photo exhibition on its history. At Spelderholt Estate, exhibitions are on display in the castle and hotel. Using a QR code, you can take a walk past notable buildings on the estate. Four former Apeldoorn city poets will also be reciting their own work.

On Sundays, you can visit the Police Academy. There, you can see the chapel and other special places, amongst other things. There is also an interactive StoryTrail, where stories and history come together. The Reformed Church in Beekbergen is the oldest church in the municipality of Apeldoorn. This church is open on Saturday. The Veluwse Cantorij will be giving a musical performance. Several other churches will also be opening their doors, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Apeldoorn and the PKN church and Roman Catholic church in Loenen.

Discover the history of the city

At KSG Wereldcollege, you can find out more about the history of the Parkenbuurt neighbourhood. There are also information stands here run by the Heritage Platform, the Apeldoorn Monuments Foundation and the Oud Apeldoorn Association. In addition, the school is the go-to place for information on making listed buildings more sustainable. Visit the Energiepunt information stand for free advice on making your home more sustainable and discover the route taking in three sustainable properties in the Parkenbuurt that are open to the public, such as the

• Bas Backerlaan 16 – Open Monument Day
• Wilhelminapark 23 – Open Monuments Day
• 11 Villa van Rhemenslaan – Open Monument Day

At the Grote Markthof/La Bizotterie, you can find out about the future layout and plans for the Panama Pakhuis. In addition, this year there are some special venues, such as the Ford Museum in Beekbergen.

Mystery Monument Dinner

The Mystery Monument Dinner is also part of the weekend’s programme. In Apeldoorn, you can experience heritage even whilst dining. During the Mystery Monument Dinner on 11, 12 and 13 September, guests are taken to a secret historic location. There, they will enjoy a three-course dinner and hear fascinating stories about the place. This unique Apeldoorn concept has now become a household name during the Open Monument Days. Tickets are available via: Ticket office.