Rotterdam icons, but different

Want to discover or experience Rotterdam's icons in a different way? Then put on your comfortable shoes on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September and walk from one special building to the next during Open Monumentendag Rotterdam. Doors will open that normally remain closed and there will be a surprising programme at the locations. We catch you up.

This year, the theme of Open Monument Day is 'On the road. Routes, networks and connections'. 'In the programme, we refer to being on the road in the literal sense, i.e. between two destinations. But also to the journey we make from the past to the present. Almost the whole programme is free to visit, but some parts require advance booking,' explains programmer Cilia Batenburg. 'In addition, this year we are launching a new route where you move around the city using different means of transport. So you go by tram, metro (first metro line in the Netherlands!) and bus. So you walk under the water, drive over fly-overs with spectacular views and pass a nice selection of monuments in neighbourhoods like Charlois and Delfshaven.' You can find this route and those previously released on the website of Open Monumentendag Rotterdam.

Hotel New York

The iconic building is back in the Heritage Day programme. And rightly so, because of course it fits perfectly with this year's theme. The building, which has stood on Kop van Zuid since 1901, was the headquarters of the Holland America Line. Large groups of emigrants and fortune seekers were transported to New York via Rotterdam. In 1995, the famous hotel-restaurant opened in the building where you can have a great time. Doorman Nico will take you through the impressive hotel on 14 and 15 September, revealing some delicious juicy stories and (secret) facts about the hotel along the way.

The Hef

The Koningshavenbrug, De Hef's official name, opened in 1927 and was part of the Breda-Rotterdam railway line. With the arrival of the Willemsspoortunnel in 1993, De Hef became redundant. In the end, the bridge was not demolished because Rotterdammers let it be known with protests that they wanted to keep it. 'Bridge manager Sjors likes to show you this structure. You visit the engine room, which is a fantastic technical feat,' says Cilia. 'This is where 'the halyard' is operated, the piece of the bridge that hangs above the water and can be raised and lowered when needed. Everything moves and rotates, you feast your eyes.' For people afraid of heights, this might not be the best choice. The engine room is at height and the stairs leading up to it are steep.

Blijdorp Zoo

'What not many people know is that there are 21 national monuments at Blijdorp Zoo,' says Cilia. 'From the Riviera Hall and the park's ornate entrance to the Gorilla Viewing Hut and the Mountain Animal Rock.' The design comes from architect Sybold Van Ravesteyn. 'Perhaps the most demolished architect in the Netherlands because he was much concerned with railway stations and they have been renewed or rebuilt many times over the years. On the tour of the park, you will learn all about this architect and his designs.' Also fun is that on the zoo's forecourt, the ZOOmerterras will open for free from 6pm. There, you can enjoy a balmy late summer evening among the flamingos, including music and delicious food.

FENIX

During Open Monument Day, you will have the unique opportunity to take a closer look at the transformation of Fenixloods II. The historic harbour warehouse will open in 2025 as FENIX, the first museum in the world to highlight the theme of migration using a contemporary art collection. Cilia: "This, of course, fits perfectly with the theme 'On the Move! A special route has been created for the festival weekend where you will learn about the history of the shed, but certainly also get a preview of what is to come. The FENIX team is ready to tell you all about this special transformation.'

Groothandelsgebouw & Het Industriegebouw

Two icons of Rotterdam's reconstruction designed by renowned architect Hugh Maaskant and his partner Willem van Tijen. The underlying idea behind this type of business building was that it would attract activity after the war. Cilia: 'Many people know Maaskant, but have not heard of Van Tijen before. Next year marks the 130th anniversary of architecture and urban planning firm Kokon, founded by ir Willem van Tijen, and it is also 50 years after his death. To commemorate this, the Willem van Tijen Foundation is organising the Van Tijen Year. During guided tours of these buildings, you will learn more about him, as well as about the art and architecture present. The Groothandelsgebouw naturally also includes a visit to the roof where you have an amazing view of the city.'

The Park

If you talk about the Park then every Rotterdammer knows which park you mean. For people from outside the city, 'near the Euromast' is a nice addition. 'The greenery here has been laid out as a work of planning art,' Cilia knows. The design comes from landscape architects father and son Zocher and is intended as a walking place in the English landscape style. 'On Sundays, you can join a historical walk through this beautiful park. You will learn about the history and the specific design where you will be surprised after every turn.'

If you have played out the icons...

There are more icons in the programme of Open Monumentendag Rotterdam, such as the Hofbogen, the Laurenskerk, the Van Nelle Factory and Huis Sonneveld, but lesser-known places will also get attention. For instance, there is a nice collaboration with Rotterdam Street Culture Week in the Koopmanshuis on the Rechter Rottekade. In the 18th-century rococo interior you can listen to spoken word and at the Historic Shipyard Koningspoort there is a freerun competition. Studio de Bakkerij plays a performance about love at rowing club Nautilus. And in the historic building on Schiekade 77, a performance about the lost Proveniershuis will be played, challenging the audience to participate in a role-playing game à la Dungeons & Dragons. In addition to the aforementioned themed route coming out, you can take a walk along Rotterdam's vast array of historic bridges. Many small bridges you wouldn't expect have monumental status. Surprisingly: the Erasmus and Willemsbrug do not have this status.

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