Body & Mind
On Sunday, October 25, the Hof van Nederland will be fully dedicated to the national Month of History. This year’s theme is “Body & Mind.” During this special themed day, discover how the body and mind have played an important role in daily life throughout the centuries.
There’s plenty to do all day long in and around the Hof. Be amazed by a demonstration of historical sword fighting, listen to an inspiring talk about Dr. Carolus Battus’s 1593 cookbook, and sample dishes from that era. Get creative with neurographic drawing, discover stories about mental health in a small exhibition, or join a walking tour through the city, passing by places where the history of health and care comes to life.
There’s plenty to do for families, too. Look for the hidden animals during the scavenger hunt, play historical games in the square, put together a Dordrecht puzzle as a family, or watch historical film footage of sports and physical activity.
Whether you're interested in history, culture, health, or just want to enjoy a fun and surprising day out, there's something for everyone to discover during Dordrecht History Day.
Program
All day (11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
- Body & Mind Mini Scavenger Hunt: a scavenger hunt to find the “pets” hidden throughout the Hof, with historical facts for each animal you find!
- Mini-Exhibition: The Body as a Home for the Mind: A Small Exhibition on Mental Health
- Puzzles: Working Together on Jigsaw Puzzles Featuring Historical Images of Dordrecht
- Historical sports and games on the square
- Movie: “Exercising Like in the Old Days”
11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. & 1:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Workshop “Neurographic Drawing in the Flow”: Be inspired by the history of Dordrecht and experience how drawing lines and shapes in the flow can help you let go of mental blocks and find inner peace.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- Demonstration and Mini-Lecture: “The Art of Swordfighting”
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
- Lecture: “The Excellent Cookbook by Dr. Carolus Battus (1593)”
11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
- Tasting. Sample historic dishes inspired by Carolus Battus’s recipes.
City Walks
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- City Walk with Het Gilde: “The History of Healthcare in Dordrecht”
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
- City Walk: Colonial Past
Also worth visiting
In addition to the special program, you can visit the permanent exhibition at the Court of the Netherlands. The “Interwoven Past” exhibition will also be open on this day.
