Bredevoort City Guides Win the 2026 Heritage Award
On Thursday evening, September 3, the Bredevoort city guides were named the winners of the 2026 Heritage Award. They were selected as the winner from a group of six nominees: Berbuland, Kwikkelstraat 16 Dinxperlo, Raadhuisstraat 5 Dinxperlo, Vincenth Schreurs, and the volunteers of the Stichting Restauratiefonds Oude Sint‑Helenakerk, as well as the chosen winners, the Bredevoort City Guides.
The award ceremony took place in a packed Koppelkerk in Bredevoort. Mayor Stapelkamp emphasized how important resilience and dedication are to preserving heritage. Hans Berende, director of the Achterhoek and Liemers Heritage Center (ECAL), then spoke about ECAL’s work and the recently acquired family archive of the Driessen family of entrepreneurs from Aalten. Willem Doodeheefver, chair of the Environmental Quality Committee, then provided an overview of the six nominees. It was subsequently announced that the Bredevoort city guides had won the award.
About the Bredevoort City Guides
With their extensive knowledge, enthusiasm, and hospitality, Bredevoort’s city guides bring the town’s rich history to life for both visitors and residents. During guided tours, they share the stories behind the fortifications, historic buildings, and old trade routes, and show how the past is still visible in the town’s current landscape.
Five nominees are participating in the Open Monument Days
The annual Open Monument Days will take place on Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13. Monuments throughout the country will be open to the public free of charge. This year’s theme is “Resilient Heritage in Times of Uncertainty.” In the municipality of Aalten, monument owners will also be opening their doors to the public.
During this weekend, visitors can explore, among other sites, Kwikkelstraat 16, Raadhuisstraat 5, and the Oude Sint-Helenakerk. Architect Vincenth Schreurs will give two lectures on Saturday, September 12, at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the National Hiding Place Museum. On Saturday, September 12, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., city guides will lead a tour (participation fee: €5), which begins at the Sint Joriskerk in Bredevoort, where an exhibition is on display.
For a complete list of participating monuments, visit: www.openmonumentendag.nl