Never so many free activities during Open Monumentendag Rotterdam
Rotterdam has many monuments. Well-known and unknown. More than 60 Rotterdam monumental buildings can be visited free of charge on 14 and 15 September during Open Monumentendag Rotterdam.
This year's theme is Onderweg - routes, networks and connections. A perfect match for the port city of Rotterdam. "We interpret this year's theme both literally and figuratively. On the road from A to B, but also by linking the present to the past," says programme maker Cilia Batenburg. "In a literal sense, for example, there are the buildings that tell the story of arriving and leaving." The tour by the illustrious hotel porter Nico through Hotel New York is back and FENIX allows public access to the construction site before the museum on migration works towards its opening in 2025. There will also be another opportunity to climb up to the engine room of the iconic Hef. A cheerful new monument route that can be taken on Rotterdam's public transport will also be released again.
Freerunning at a shipyard
There are surprising collaborations with makers at Rotterdam Street Culture Week. In the Old Harbour, freerunners get to work, for example at historic shipyard De Koningspoort. "If freerunning is not a surprising way to get from A to B? Then I don't know either! And then also surrounded by our sailing heritage," explains project coordinator Ericia de Fatima.
In the 18th-century salon of the Koopmanshuis, spoken-word artists take up residence and dancers depict the story of the 100-year-old Walloon church slowly surrounded by Rotterdam's characteristic high-rise buildings. Of course, there will be guided tours on the monumental bridges and a lecture at Hofplein station. A symphony orchestra will also play 'The New World' on the ss Rotterdam
Newcomers
Besides the familiar buildings, there are also a number of new monuments. Such as Schiekade 77, the Lucy Havelaar house, Loodswezen, Wyt-drukkerij and the Rotterdamsche Zeilvereeniging. There, as part of the Van Tijen year, there will be a lecture on the famous Rotterdam architect Willem van Tijen (also known for the Groot Handelsgebouw and the Industriegebouw).
For children, too, there is again much to discover and experience. Studio de Bakkerij plays a love story among historic rowing boats in the jubilee club building of rowing club Nautilus in De Esch. In the Van Nelle Factory, following a good example of The New Building, 3D sketching is practised.
The programme will be online from 19 August. Many monuments are free to walk in, the activities are (almost) all free but sometimes advance booking is required.
Cover photo: Itam van Teeseling
