Is freerunning considered heritage? The Rotterdam Heritage Weekend is coming up

From the nuclear fallout shelter to the Zonnetrap, and from BMXing in the Laurenskerk to Lindy Hopping at Nautilus: there have never been so many monuments to visit and so many different activities during Rotterdam Heritage Open Days. On September 13 and 14, 2025, the city's monuments will once again open their doors to the public.

"We sometimes get asked what freerunning or BMXing has to do with monuments," says organizer Ericia de Fatima. "Our answer is that heritage can be experienced and embraced in many different ways, and that freerunning is certainly one of them." Her colleague Cilia Batenburg adds: "We saw last year at De Koningspoort Shipyard that it's possible. Children jumped and somersaulted across the historic shipyard, accompanied by freerunners, after which, while catching their breath, they visited a ship or forged a spoon. They created their own memories in such a historic location. And it was a success for the shipyard too; the freerunners will be back at the shipyard in the Oude Haven this year."

The Rotterdam committee, which organizes Open Monument Day in the Maasstad, is known for experimenting with partners who don't come from the heritage sector. Cilia: "Experimentation is important to explore how our monuments can be meaningful or relevant to more people. And the great thing is that our crossover programming, as we call it, can exist alongside the more traditional in-depth program of architectural tours and lectures. It's truly a strengthening experience."

The many activities are a welcome addition, but the open monuments remain the core of the weekend. This year, just over 70 monuments will open their doors to the public. Often, admission is free, but sometimes a (free) time slot or tour must be reserved. "There are some real gems among them that aren't often visited," says Cilia. Think of the Diepeveen building—which many people will recognize from the horizontally oriented letters on the narrow tower near Schiemond—or the Justus van Effen complex, where people actually live. On weekends, the residents will take you on a tour of the complex, which even attracts architecture students from Japan. The St. Louis School never participated before, but now welcomes you to the school building in Zuid. And I can't stress enough that you have to take a look at the Oomspand on Noordereiland; you really won't believe your eyes!

On September 13 and 14, 2025, you'll find the Rotterdam Heritage Open Days information point in the Goot Handelsgebouw (Entrance B, Weena 697). The full program, with all the open monuments and activities, can be found on the website: www.omdrotterdam.nl.