Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed

The Netherlands shares its history with many countries around the globe. The traces left by this past, both within and outside the Netherlands, are referred to as shared cultural heritage.

The Netherlands has a rich history in which connections with other countries have always played an important role. As a maritime trading nation, colonial ruler and a land of migrants and internationally renowned artists and architects, the Netherlands has left its traces all over the world. In a similar vein, other nations and cultures have also left their marks in the Netherlands.

The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands contributes to ensuring a sustainable future for this shared cultural heritage by working together with ten partner countries. We provide training, advice and instruments. The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands is responsible for executing a part of the Dutch government’s policy on shared heritage by means of its Shared Cultural Heritage Programme (in Dutch: Programma Gedeeld Cultureel Erfgoed).

The Agency has selected three main themes:

• Maritime Archaeology
• Built Environment
• Collections