During Open Monument Day 2026, the historical society Herderewich opens the doors of Hierden to everyone. Visitors hop on their bikes, visit the exhibition in the Village Hall, and discover the farmhouses, the castle, the church, and the stories that bring Hierden’s heritage to life.
Heritage of a resilient village
Open Monument Day celebrates its fortieth edition in 2026, with the national theme “Resilient heritage in times of uncertainty.” Historical society Herderewich, active in Harderwijk and Hierden, aligns with this by making Hierden’s rich past visible: a village that, throughout the centuries, faced war, floods, and major spatial changes, yet remained close-knit and resilient.
Bicycles, farms and stories
The starting point is the exhibition in the Village Hall, from where visitors can explore Hierden on their own. The ‘Heel Hierden fietst’ cycling route passes by the most important sites in the village. Along the way, there is an open house at Bheene’s Boerderie, where students from Morgen College, in collaboration with the association, have recreated a scale model of a Veluwe barn. De Essenburgh and the Dutch Reformed Church can also be visited on this day, with guided tours that bring the history of these monuments to life.
For young and old
The program is explicitly accessible to everyone: from bike rides for the whole family to in-depth guided tours for those who want to learn more about the history of the village. The organizers invite visitors to stop by, hop on a bike, and experience the heritage of Hierden.
