Building(d) to stay - Heritage & Architecture

Open Monument Day 2025 on September 13 and 14 municipality of Aalten

On Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14, thousands of monuments throughout the Netherlands will open their doors to the public. This year's theme is "Heritage & Architecture - Building(d) to Stay. This focuses on the value of our built environment: from centuries-old churches and mills to 20th century icons. Each building tells its own story and is an indispensable part of our living environment. Also in the municipality of Aalten, Bredevoort and Dinxperlo you can visit special buildings during Open Monumentendag, enjoy guided tours and activities for young and old. Admission is free.

Garvin Dickhof makes art out of heritage

On Sunday, Sept. 14 at the Borderland Museum

On Sept. 14, something special is about to happen in Dinxperlo: a cross-border art performance by German action artist Garvin Dickhof. From Viersen, he will travel to Dinxperlo with boxes full of wooden blocks and cardboard boxes to give the street scene an unexpected twist. His goal? To bring renewed attention to monuments that you might often mindlessly pass by.

Cooperation with Bocholt

Dinxperlo and Bocholt are collaborating in this cross-border art project. On September 12 and 13, Dickhof can be seen in the center of Bocholt, where he gives the streetscape a surprising twist with his building blocks. This cooperation is supported by the Interreg program Germany-Netherlands.
The complete overview of activities and open monuments can be found on the website Openmonumentendag. 

Some of the activities

  • Sanatorium Bredevoort (Sept. 13 - 14, Bredevoort) - Reopening of TB recesses, an exhibition and re-enactors in clothes of the past.
  • Living Heritage (Sept. 13, Aalten) - Special day organized by Stichting Zeldzame Huisdierrassen at experience farm De Ahof.
  • De Schoppe (Sept. 13, Aalten) - Old farm implements, vintage tractors and the collection of a heritage award nominee.
  • The Dames te Beesthuis (Sept. 13, Dinxperlo) - State monument nominated for heritage award after renovation in original style.
  • Oude Helenakerk (Sept. 13, Aalten) - Organ concerts and performance by the Aaltens Mannenkoor.
  • Mills (Sept. 13, De Heurne, Lintelo, Bredevoort) - Tours and activities.

    Read more? Check out the full post via Aalten Vooruit.