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The Online Monuments Day
Published on 12 November 2020

Netherlands
Noord-Brabant
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About this good practice
Due to the Covid19 pandemic the traditional Open Monuments Day 2020 was cancelled. To offer an alternative, the Online Monuments Day was organised by the municipalities of 's-Hertogenbosch, Sint-Michielsgestel and Vught. In just a few weeks’ time a total of twelve monuments was visualised in an innovative, spectacular way, both from the inside and the outside.
For the outside images of the monuments a drone was used. Details are explained by a voice-over.
For the inside images of the monuments, 3D techniques were used. The visitor can create his/her own digital tour, using 360 degrees images.
Owners and users of the buildings give their personal touch to the online tour. They show hidden treasures and share their own favourite elements.
For the outside images of the monuments a drone was used. Details are explained by a voice-over.
For the inside images of the monuments, 3D techniques were used. The visitor can create his/her own digital tour, using 360 degrees images.
Owners and users of the buildings give their personal touch to the online tour. They show hidden treasures and share their own favourite elements.
Expert opinion
Covid-19 is being a huge challenge for cultural industries and for the promotion of the cultural heritage by local and regional administrations. In the case at hand, local policymakers have joined forces to overcome the impossibility of physically allowing groups of people into heritage buildings in 2020. By quickly adapting to the new circumstances imposed by the pandemic, they have turned the local Monuments Day into an on-line event. This good practice can certainly provide insight on how to valorise heritage buildings in times of public health restrictions. There are two aspects worth highlighting. The first is the decision to enrich the storytelling with curiosities about the treasures hidden in local heritage buildings and the personal experiences from their owners/users, which increased the overall appeal of the event. The second is the success obtained by this on-line initiative among persons with disabilities, which proves once more the added value of the on-line format in terms of increased accessibility of the cultural heritage.
Resources needed
Costs to external parties:
Drone recordings and 3D interior scanning: €15.000,-.
Opening act, publications, pr (advertisements): €1.000,-.
Staff hours municipality: €8.000,-
Total: €24.000,-.
Drone recordings and 3D interior scanning: €15.000,-.
Opening act, publications, pr (advertisements): €1.000,-.
Staff hours municipality: €8.000,-
Total: €24.000,-.
Evidence of success
Visitors of the online tours of the twelve monuments have expressed positive feedback. The personal stories of the owners, the hidden treasures shown, are much appreciated.
An unforeseen success is the participation of disabled people. Never before have they been able to look around these historic buildings themselves.
An unforeseen success is the participation of disabled people. Never before have they been able to look around these historic buildings themselves.
Potential for learning or transfer
1. Covid19-proof sharing of cultural heritage.
2. Online accessibility of cultural heritage by disabled people.
3. Sharing personal stories of owners.
4. Showing parts of monuments that are too fragile for public exposure.
5. Potential for educational use.
2. Online accessibility of cultural heritage by disabled people.
3. Sharing personal stories of owners.
4. Showing parts of monuments that are too fragile for public exposure.
5. Potential for educational use.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch

Netherlands
Noord-Brabant