Love architecture? Then Hilversum is the place for you! The city is like an open-air museum, showcasing iconic designs by renowned architects such as Dudok, Cuypers and Duiker. With so many remarkable buildings and architectural gems to discover, admire and explore, there's plenty to inspire you. Here are our top 10 architectural highlights in Hilversum.
Hilversum Town Hall
Architecture lovers from around the world flock to Hilversum’s iconic Town Hall, designed by renowned architect Willem Marinus Dudok. The building is impressive from the outside, but its interior is just as remarkable. Join a guided tour and explore some of its most beautiful rooms, including the mayor’s office and the wedding hall. And don’t miss the spectacular views from the tower!
St. Vitus Church
This Neo-Gothic church is one of the largest churches designed by Pierre Cuypers, the renowned architect behind the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Central Station. Its tower ranks among the four tallest church towers in the Netherlands. The design combines elements of French Gothic architecture with influences from the English Gothic Revival style.
Zonnestraal Estate
The historic sanatorium on the Zonnestraal Estate is a remarkable listed national monument and an icon of Dutch modernist architecture. Architects Jan Duiker and Bernard Bijvoet designed the complex using the most innovative ideas of their time in architecture, construction technology and healthcare. Today, the former sanatorium is a thriving business hub, surrounded by woodland and heathland.
Flower District
At first glance, the Flower District, named after its flower-inspired street names, looks like an ordinary residential neighbourhood in Hilversum. But what many people don’t know is that it was the first social housing neighbourhood developed on behalf of a Dutch municipality. Dudok designed simple, affordable homes for working-class families. Under his direction, 29 municipal housing complexes were built by 1953, with the Flower District being the very first.
Laapersveld pumping station
In 1919, architect W.M. Dudok designed a park with ponds and a pumping station to drain rainwater and wastewater from what was then the built-up area of Hilversum. In 1991, Laapersveld Park and its pumping station were designated a listed national monument.
Gas holders
Between 2004 and 2016, an entirely new residential neighbourhood, Villa Industria, took shape on the site of Hilversum’s former gasworks. Its design draws inspiration from the area’s industrial past. The three striking residential towers at the corner of Jan van der Heijdenstraat and Minckelersstraat echo the cylindrical gas holders that once stood on this very spot.
Sound & Vision
As of 2006, the Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision has stood proudly at the entrance to Hilversum’s Media Park. Designed by Neutelings Riedijk Architects, this colourful landmark is a real eye-catcher. The cube-shaped building is home to the audiovisual archives of Dutch broadcasting.
Belvedère
As you enter Hilversum via the A27 motorway, you'll spot this striking architectural landmark near Tergooi Hospital. Designed by architect René van Zuuk, the building starts narrow at the base and gradually widens towards the top, giving the tower its bold, distinctive appearance.
Gooiland Hotel
Architect Jan Duiker, who also designed the sanatorium on the Zonnestraal Estate, was the creative mind behind Gooiland Hotel. With its large windows, clean lines and light-filled spaces, the building is a celebration of modernist architecture right in the heart of Hilversum. Fancy an architectural getaway? Book a room and spend the night in a listed national monument.
Botanical garden pavilion
Designed by Enzo Valerio, the pavilion at the Blijdenstein botanical garden is a beautiful example of how architecture can connect with its geological and ecological surroundings. The design features three solid walls, a gently flowing floor surface and a cantilevered roof that curves gracefully around the surrounding trees.
Meer Hilversum ontdekken?
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Unique architecture
Hilversum is a treasure trove of architectural gems. An open-air museum showcasing iconic designs by architects such as Dudok, Cuypers and Duiker. From remarkable buildings to inspiring architectural experiences, there's so much to discover, admire and explore in Hilversum!
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Unrivaled nature
Discover the natural beauty of Hilversum. From sweeping heathlands and forests with treetop adventures to historic estates, parks and botanical gardens right in the heart of the city. Each offers the perfect setting for a day out, outdoor activities or simply a breath of fresh air.
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Settle in!
Sip your morning coffee on a sunny terrace, enjoy lunch at a buzzing food hall, savour oysters and cocktails at a trendy bar, and dine in a spectacular industrial setting. From early mornings to late nights, Hilversum is the place to be for great food and drinks.