Many Dutch historic listed buildings are in a bad way and there is not enough money for the necessary restoration and maintenance, broadcaster NOS reported on Tuesday.

Some 15% of the 63,000 listed buildings that are not being used as homes show signs of deterioration, such as the prisons in Veenhuizen, the Steyl monastery in Limburg, parts of the Blijdorp Zoo and the Prinsenhof in Delft, the government said last year.

The centuries-old Prinsenhof, where Willem van Oranje was murdered in 1584 and which is in the listed building top 100, is currently closed for renovations but is looking at a budgetary hole of €5 million.

The museum is scheduled to open again in 2027 but, director Janelle Moerman said the monastery is “damp to its core”.

A large part of the renovation pot of €38 million has been provided by government subsidies, Delft city council, philanthropic association BPD and private donors but the remaining €5 million will not be funded by the government, the culture ministry has said.

The last cabinet had intended to free up an extra €770 million to boost the list buildings renovations budget over the next 10 years but current culture minister Eppo Bruins said no extra money will be forthcoming.

“I am not surprised that 15% are a bad condition,” government architect Francesco Veenstra told the broadcaster.

“Maintenance is expensive and the buildings have many different owners. If buildings are crumbling it is because they have not taken the proper measures five or 10 years ago,” he said.

Improving amenities

Veenstra said an exception should be made when restoration is combined with additional work to improve amenities and accessibility, which is the case at the Prinsenhof. “In these cases, the priority should be to ensure the building survives,” he said.

Veenstra said the listed buildings are an important part of Dutch culture and history but their upkeep is a joint responsibility of the government, the provinces, local councils and owners, he stressed.

Moerman remains hopeful the government will provide the missing funds to restore the Prinsenhof. “This is a place to cherish and I think the government should do its bit,” she said.