On Sunday, 13 September 2026, Germany raises awareness of monument preservation through the Tag des offenen Denkmals® (Open Monument Day).
As one of Germany’s largest cultural, it is a great opportunity to explore German history and culture in a very hands-on way. Across the country, thousands of historic sites open their doors, including buildings and places that are normally closed to the public. Visitors can join guided tours, explore historic architecture, discover traditional crafts, visit exhibitions and learn more about the stories behind the places they see every day.
The theme for 2026 is “NetzWERKE: Denkmale & Infrastruktur” (Networks: Monuments & Infrastructure). It focuses on the historic buildings and structures that have connected people and supported communities – from bridges, railway stations and tunnels to factories, power plants, schools, hospitals and other important infrastructure.
The idea is particularly interesting for anyone who is new to Germany: many of the places we pass every day have a story behind them. Open Monument Day offers the chance to step inside, meet local people and discover how these places have shaped the communities around them.
What can you visit?
The programme varies from city to city, so there is something for almost every interest. You might find:
- 🏰 Historic castles, town houses and churches
- 🚂 Railway stations, bridges and other historic infrastructure
- 🏭 Former factories and industrial sites
- 🔧 Traditional crafts and restoration projects
- 🏛️ Museums and buildings that are normally not open to the public
- 🚶 Guided walking tours and themed excursions
- 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly activities
Many events are free of charge, although some individual activities may require registration. The official programme currently includes thousands of monuments and hundreds of tours throughout Germany.
The easiest way to plan your day is through the official Tag des offenen Denkmals website. You can search by location and filter the programme to find events near your home.
Where will you be visiting this Sunday?
Will you explore a historic building in your city, take a guided tour, visit an old industrial site or simply see what you can discover around the corner