Every September, The Netherlands opens its doors to history lovers with Open Monumentendag (Open Monuments Day). For one weekend, you can step inside buildings and monuments that are normally closed to the public. It is one of the best ways to learn about the city’s layers of history, but it does take a little planning: some locations have limited hours, some require time slots, and many will have long lines.

This year, I started my day with something truly once-in-a-lifetime: the burial of Amsterdam’s time capsule, created for the city’s 750th anniversary. It will not be opened for another 50 years, so it felt very special to witness it in person.

After that, we tried the depot of the Noord/Zuid metro line, but with over an hour’s wait and the explanation that the visit would not include areas normally closed, we decided to move on.

At Hotel Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, the line was about 30 minutes, but it was worth it. We climbed the stairs to admire the stained glass windows gifted by Rotterdam on Amsterdam’s 650th anniversary, saw Hildo Krop’s carved map of the city, and entered the room where Princess Beatrix’s wedding took place in 1966.

Next was Frascati. We were shown the balconies and structure that still remain, but also taken to the café where the windows and framework once served the tobacco industry. It was fascinating to see how layers of history remain in unexpected details.

We continued to Het Huis van Nassauwen, currently under restoration by Stadsherstel. Many parts were still closed off, but it was a rare glimpse into a project in progress. Trippenhuis was our next target, but the line stretched over an hour and with less than an hour left before closing, we decided to save it for another year.

At Arti et Amicitiae, the slots were already full. We could not enter the exhibition areas, but we ended up enjoying a coffee in the café while a silent disco played, a fun and unexpected break.

The last stop of the day was one of the evening-only openings: the former Metz & Co. building, now the NIO House. We climbed to the top floor just in time to see the sun setting over the city, framed by pale blue curtains. It was the perfect ending.

Tips for making the most of Open Monumentendag

• Review the program early and decide which places matter most to you.
• Expect long lines for popular sites; go early or choose smaller, lesser-known locations.
• Some buildings open only in the evening, so keep energy for later.
• Be open to surprises: sometimes what you discover by chance becomes the highlight.

Open Monumentendag is one of those weekends that reminds me why I love Amsterdam: its history is alive, layered, and always ready to surprise you.

Until the next adventure in The Netherlands.

Joanna

Your photographer in Amsterdam