Open Monument Day Ludwigshafen

Nationwide Day of Action

The Open Monument Day has taken place annually on the second Sunday in September since 1993. It is the German participation in the “European Heritage Days” and one of the largest cultural events in Germany. The German Foundation for Monument Protection is the organizer, setting a motto each year.

Motto 2026: NetzWERKE (Networks)

The motto for 2026 is “NetzWERKE: Monuments & Infrastructure”. With this, the foundation focuses on historical infrastructure – bridges, locks, railway facilities, industrial supply networks, water towers, sewer systems, and similar structures that enabled modern societies to function and are often protected as monuments today.

Ludwigshafen as an Industrial City

Ludwigshafen is particularly well-suited for a program on the theme of “Infrastructure”. As a historical industrial city – home to BASF and the cradle of the chemical industry – the city has numerous industrial monuments, technical facilities, and historical utility buildings. Several of these facilities will be opened for the day of action.

Schillerhaus Oggersheim with Model Exhibition

The Schillerhaus Oggersheim is confirmed for 2026. The young Friedrich Schiller stayed here in 1782/83 after fleeing Stuttgart and worked on “Don Carlos” and “Intrigue and Love”. The house is now a literary museum and will show a model exhibition related to the theme of infrastructure on the day of action.

Industrial Monuments of BASF

BASF traditionally opens selected industrial monuments on the company premises for the Open Monument Day – usually as part of guided tours requiring advance registration. The city of Ludwigshafen will announce which facilities will be accessible in 2026 in the program announcement.

Free and Accessible

All events on Open Monument Day are free. For some program points – especially industrial tours – advance registration is required. The complete program will be published by the city of Ludwigshafen in August 2026.