Anyone traveling through the Veluwe expects dense forests and purple heathlands. The Kootwijkerzand immediately breaks with that expectation. It is a bone-dry sandy plain of 700 hectares that resembles a vast desert.
In the midst of this serene emptiness, a monolithic colossus of reinforced concrete suddenly looms: Building A. This former broadcasting station forms a surreal, industrial contrast with the rugged natural landscape surrounding it.
The concrete cathedral of the Veluwe
In the 1920s, Julius Luthmann designed this bold Art Deco monument. The main building, better known as Building A, is the very first reinforced concrete building in the Netherlands. The bold mix of stark Expressionism and refined Art Deco gives the complex its iconic silhouette.
The choice of solid reinforced concrete was not an aesthetic trend at the time. During transmission, the gigantic equipment generated such extreme temperatures that the fire hazard was enormous. The raw concrete offered the ultimate fire safety in the midst of this bone-dry environment.
The isolated radio station and the hidden village
The history of Radio Kootwijk began with an ambitious goal: to establish a direct, wireless connection with Indonesia, more than 11,000 kilometers away. In 1929, the radiotelephone service opened, allowing the Dutch to make transoceanic calls for the first time. During World War II, the station took on a strategic role when the German occupiers seized power and hijacked the powerful transmitters to communicate with their submarines.
Because the complex had to operate in total isolation to prevent radio interference, a complete, self-sufficient Radio Kootwijk village was built around it. This unique complex comprised twenty historic buildings in the middle of the wilderness. In addition to the main building, there was a water tower, workshops, and a special hotel for unmarried civil servants. This mysterious, desolate atmosphere makes the complex a popular setting for science fiction series and Hollywood thrillers today.
The Veluwe Desert and the Kootwijkerzand
The silence and vast emptiness surrounding the complex were once necessary to prevent radio interference. Today, that isolation has led to a wild and strictly protected nature reserve. The surrounding Kootwijkerzand, with an area of 700 hectares, is the largest active sand drift in the Veluwe. This rugged landscape consists of rolling sand dunes and heathlands where red deer and wild boars roam freely.
Those who want to experience the contrast between brutalist architecture and rugged nature for themselves can choose a marked Radio Kootwijk hiking trail, such as the 12.5-kilometer red Heidewandeling. During the “ ” hike, you’ll pass historic beech avenues and an authentic sheepfold, while the monumental concrete colossus constantly looms on the horizon like a beacon.
Opening hours vary depending on events, though the building is often open between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. during school holidays. Advance online ticket reservations through Staatsbosbeheer are required.
- Admission: Adults €6.50 | Children (7–12) €3.50 | Children 6 and under free.
- Parking: €7.50 per car.
- Accessibility: Exactly one hour’s drive from Amsterdam. The parking lot is right next to the sand drift.
