News item | 02-06-2025 | 17:00
Minister Bruins (Education, Culture and Science) invests € 155 million once and structurally € 15.8 million in the maintenance and restoration of national monuments. He writes today in a letter to the Lower House. Large national monuments in particular can count on extra financial support. Part of the investments goes to large (church) buildings. In this way, the minister prevents more (large) monuments from becoming severely in decline.
Minister Bruins (Education, Culture and Science): “In a world that changes rapidly, monuments ensure connection and a shared past. Monuments are as tangible history part of our national identity. As a government, we support owners in the care of these monuments, but especially among the large national monuments, the challenge for maintenance and costs is great. With this package of loans and subsidies we now offer a solution for many monuments. ”
Prevent irreparable decline
Keeping a monument in good condition is expensive and the pressure on the available resources for monument care is great. Especially for owners of large national monuments it is difficult to get a loan or subsidy for restoration or maintenance.
The measures that the minister takes is largely about the smarter use of resources that would become available for monument care. This can be done by adjusting the funding system within the accounting options. The House of Representatives has also made extra money available for the maintenance of large church buildings. With these resources, the maintenance scheme for non-residential rich monuments is increased. In addition, the loan options for restoration, maintenance and sustainability are broadened. The focus remains on stimulating planned maintenance with which expensive restorations and irreparable decline are prevented.
Restoration large monuments
With large -scale overdue maintenance it is necessary to restore monuments. Examples of current large restoration tasks are the Rivièrahal of Zoo Blijdorp, Nijenrode castle in Breukelen, the town hall of Middelburg and the almost completed aquarium of Artis.
These restorations are complex, last long and require customization. Within the current financing system, these monument owners often fish behind the grid. Due to the redistribution of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, € 100 million extra will be available for large monuments. € 45 million of this goes to a government subsidy scheme for the restoration of large monuments, € 45 million will be available for an extra loan option for large monuments via the National Restoration Fund (NRF) and the existing loan option for restoration is raised by € 10 million.
Maintenance
Owners can receive a subsidy for the continuous maintenance of Non-Woonhuis National Monuments. For example, it concerns paintwork to historical parts or recovery of brickwork and jointing. So far, more owners needed a contribution than money was available. As a solution, € 15.8 million extra per year now comes for maintenance, which means that a total amount of € 103 million per year is available. This allows more monuments to be maintained. It is expected that the transfer in the scheme will be eliminated from 2027 or 2028.
Of the increase of € 15.8 million, € 5 million is intended for large church buildings, which follow from the Bontenbal CS amendment This ensures that these special buildings are well maintained.
Mills have a special position within the monument care, due to the faster wear due to moving parts. To run the mills in a safe way, continuous maintenance is required and parts must be replaced regularly. The maintenance scheme for mills consists of a fixed maximum amount that, to compensate for inflation, will increase from € 72,500 to € 95,000.
Other measures
Other measures that the Minister announces in his letter are the increase in the Sustainable Monument Loan (DML+) with a total of € 50 million. He does this together with the Minister of VRO. The Future Religious Heritage Program is also extended by 4 years. Finally, both the Molenfonds and the Boerderijenfonds receive an incidental subsidy of € 2.5 million.