There are places that feel almost unreal the moment you arrive.
Radio Kootwijk is one of those places.
Hidden in the vast landscape of the Veluwe, this striking building rises from the sand like a sculpture; quiet, mysterious, and full of history. It’s the kind of destination that invites you to slow down, look around, and simply take it all in.
What makes Radio Kootwijk so special
For me it is the building and the surrounding nature. What I noticed right away is the contrast.
The building feels strong and monumental, almost like a concrete cathedral. And yet, it stands in the middle of soft, shifting sand, surrounded by gentle grasses and endless sky.
If I were to turn this into a moodboard, it would look something like this:
- warm sand tones
- soft gray concrete
- muted greens
- wide, open skies
It’s a beautiful reminder that simplicity can feel incredibly powerful.
A touch of history
Radio Kootwijk was built between 1918 and 1923 and once played an important role in long-distance communication between the Netherlands and Indonesia.
The building itself, designed by architect Julius Luthmann, is a unique example of Art Deco architecture. It’s as a “cathedral” in the landscape, Go and stand in front of it, you will understand why.
A personal note
As a former employee of KPN Broadcast, everything around radio towers and transmitting stations has a special place in my heart.
There is something about these structures—their quiet strength, their purpose, their history—that always draws me in. Each time I visit Radio Kootwijk, it feels both impressive and familiar. In my KPN time we sometimes had a meeting in one of the buildings.
What to expect when you visit
here are a few gentle tips to keep in mind:
- The building is not every weekend open to the public, so it’s good to check in advance
- Even from the outside, it’s absolutely worth the trip
- The surrounding nature is perfect for a quiet walk
- It’s a place where you naturally slow down—no rush needed
I would suggest taking your time here. Maybe bring a thermos with coffee, find a spot in the sand, and just enjoy the stillness.
A little styling inspiration
As always, I can’t help but translate a place like this into interiors. The feeling of Radio Kootwijk works beautifully if you bring it into your home in a subtle way:
- combine raw materials like wood and concrete
- keep your color palette calm and natural
- add texture with linen, wool, or ceramics
- leave a bit of “empty space” to let everything breathe
It doesn’t have to be perfect, just balanced and calm.
Practical
- You can visit the building now and then on a Saturday and Sunday.
- Costs from 8€ child to 19.50€ adult.
- Please note that additional parking costs apply if you are traveling by car.
- Child from 10 years old
- No dogs allowed
- practical information here.
Due to the development of modern technologies like Communications satellites, Radio Kootwijk lost its position as main overseas wireless connection point of the Netherlands. In 1980, the last transmission mast was blown up. In 2004 the park lost its last transmitter functions, and was transferred from the KPN company (successor to PTT) to the State Forestry Service, which started attracting new buyers.
The main building of the former transmitter park, designed by Dutch architect Julius Maria Luthmann and named ‘Building A’, ‘The Cathedral’ or sometimes ‘The Sphynx’, was officially appointed as a monument. It is used as venue and scenery for several cultural events and productions, including the American film Mindhunters in 2004”
pictures
You can find more about long distance walking over here.
Enjoy your visit to the building and combine it with a walk through the surrounding countryside.
This blog, originally published on April 1, 2023, has been updated with the latest information in May 2026. Note:
For this blog post, I experimented with rewriting and refining my original text using AI. I was curious to see how it could help improve flow, clarity, and tone, while still keeping my personal voice. I see it as a helpful tool, especially for polishing and structuring ideas, but the inspiration and experience will always remain my own.