Ten years of Monumentenbezit: an independent monument-inclusive safety net for complex heritage tasks

In 2016, the Dutch government divested itself of 29 monuments, which were transferred to a new foundation, Monumentenbezit, via the National Monuments Organization (NMo). Ten years later, the organization has grown into a professional, national management organization for all types of monuments. With 32 national monuments, comprising more than 100 buildings, Monumentenbezit occupies a unique position in the Dutch monument sector.

On January 15, 2016, Monumentenbezit officially took possession of 29 cultural-historical buildings, ranging from churches and castles to ruins and fortifications. Five of these properties are among the Top 100 monuments in the Netherlands; the fortifications of Naarden are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The foundation's goal: to carefully preserve the monuments and share the stories of this heritage with a wide audience.

Monument included

Whereas many heritage organizations focus on one specific type of monument, Monumentenbezit has consciously chosen a different approach.

"We are monument-inclusive," says director Mark van den Bos. "All types of monuments are welcome. It is precisely monuments that are difficult to exploit that require a party that puts the importance of the heritage itself first and safeguards it for the long term, without profitability or function being the guiding principle."

From manager to operator

Obtaining POM status in 2022 confirmed the professional character of Monumentenbezit. In the years that followed, the organization took the next step by also taking on the operation of monuments with a public function. This not only ensures their physical preservation, but also gives their public function greater coherence and professionalism.

“We believe that monuments only truly come into their own when they are shared, experienced, and used,” says Van den Bos. “By taking care of the operation ourselves, we are closer to our target groups and are building a public function that will also make the monument future-proof in the long term, in keeping with its history and with the present day.”

Knowledge, craftsmanship, and collaboration

Management, restoration, and the public form the foundation of the organization. Monument ownership is evolving into a learning environment for young talent and actively investing in research and knowledge sharing, together with national and international partners. "We are increasingly not only implementers, but also knowledge carriers and discussion partners," says Van den Bos.

Looking ahead: Monument ownership in 2035

Monumentenbezit will be working towards further growth of its portfolio in the coming years, with the ambition of acquiring at least one new monument each year. These will be monuments for which there is no suitable market solution and which are deliberately placed with Monumentenbezit as an independent trust, where sustainable preservation and continuity are central.

“By 2035, Monumentenbezit will be more than just a management organization,” says director Mark van den Bos. “Our monuments are places where the past and future meet, and where people not only come to look, but also actively participate.”

By collaborating with partners within and outside the heritage sector in the fields of culture, innovation, and technology, Monumentenbezit reaches a broader and more diverse audience. By 2035, the organization will be an obvious partner for anyone who sees heritage as part of the social challenges of today and tomorrow.

Deposits at Monumentenbezit 

We preserve monuments for eternity. Together with local stakeholders, we work on the development, opening, and, where possible, sustainability of a monument and its surrounding grounds for each location. We give the monument a stage that is fitting for its history and location.