Radio Kootwijk
Radio Kootwijk is one of the most famous historic radio stations in the Netherlands. The large concrete buildings stand in the middle of the Veluwe and have a long history. Even today, the site still looks impressive and tells the story of a time when radio connected people across the world.
- Built 1918
- Abandoned 2001
- Reconverted 2010
- Visited 2009
Construction of Radio Kootwijk started in 1918. The main building, known as Station A, was built to send radio signals between the Netherlands and its former colonies, including the Dutch East Indies. At the time, this was one of the most modern communication stations in the world.
During the Second World War, the German army occupied the station. They used it to communicate with their submarine fleet. Near the end of the war, the retreating German forces removed the valuable equipment and transported it to Germany. They also destroyed the large radio masts and tried to blow up Station A. The building survived because its reinforced concrete walls were simply too strong.
Return to service
In 1947, much of the missing equipment was found in what later became East Germany. Radio Kootwijk returned to service, but new communication technology slowly made the station less important. The first large radio masts were demolished in 1966, and the last, the tallest mast, disappeared in 1980. The station remained in use until 1999, when it finally closed.
Radio Kootwijk today
Today, Radio Kootwijk is no longer an abandoned place. The entire site is protected as a national monument. Visitors can walk through the surrounding nature reserve, while Station A is used for events and guided tours. Sadly, two of the smaller buildings were destroyed by fire in recent years, but the iconic main building still dominates the landscape.
The unique architecture has also attracted filmmakers. Parts of the 2004 thriller Mindhunters were filmed inside the buildings.
Although Radio Kootwijk is no longer abandoned, it remains a fascinating place to visit. The massive concrete structure, its quiet surroundings, and its rich history make it one of the most remarkable industrial heritage sites in the Netherlands.
