The Open Monument Days are held again on September 14 and 15.

Throughout the country, monuments that are normally inaccessible open their doors to the public. The offer in De Plantage is not very large, but it is attractive; because you can take a tour of the ARTIS Aquarium on Saturday September 14 or take a look inside one of the ventilation shafts of the IJ tunnel!

Check the map here to see where else you can go in and outside the city.

Program in ARTIS Aquarium on Saturday September 14
The new Aquarium will open in 2026, but you can delve deeper into the aquarium’s restoration during a hard hat tour and a Q&A with one of the creators: from architect to zookeeper (age 8+). It runs continuously on Saturday, September 14. The aquarium has been thoroughly restored since 2021. Outside, this building from 1881 looks like a classical temple. Inside it will be redesigned to showcase marine life. In the basement there are brick vaults that support the heavy water basins. The Lloyd water filter system is unique, which has been supplying all aquariums with naturally filtered water for over 140 years.
ARTIS Aquarium during Open Monument Day September 14.

IJ tunnel
The first ideas for a tunnel under the IJ existed as early as 1843. After a long battle between those in favor of a bridge and those in favor of a tunnel, the municipal council approved the plan for a tunnel under the IJ in January 1953. Since 1968, the IJ tunnel has connected both banks of the IJ. The deepest point of the tunnel is 12.5 meters below the water level.
Striking in Enrico Hartsuyker’s design are the 2 ventilation shafts for air, a new phenomenon at the time. During Amsterdam Open Monument Day on September 14 and 15, the southern shaft is open to visitors and the model can be seen.
IJ-tunnel:you are welcome for a guided tour on both Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Open Monument Day, September 14 and 15 2024