Netherlands celebrates heritage open days at Nijkerk steam pump and Martenastate estate

On Saturday 8 August, the historic Stoomgemaal Hertog Reijnout in Nijkerk opened its doors for a "Ministoomdag" featuring operating steam pumps, historic boats such as the steamer Adelaar, and a programme of vintage land machines, model displays and children’s activities.

Later, on Saturday 12 September, the Open Monumentendag at Martenastate in Koarnjum offered free guided tours of the restored 19th‑century farmstead Martena Zathe and its adjacent lytshús, with architects Gerard Brouwer and Jaap Ruedisulj explaining the restoration and adaptive‑reuse of the agrarian heritage site. Both events highlight Dutch efforts to preserve and showcase historic engineering and agricultural architecture.