The coordinates were calculated in 1897, long before modern GPS technology allowed for precise digital mapping.
The marker stone is an erratic boulder, a remnant transported by glacial activity during the Saalian glaciation.
The 'calendar stones' were installed in 2012 to commemorate the 115th anniversary of the site's designation.
The stones are positioned to align with the rising sun during the summer and winter solstices and the equinoxes.
The site sits on the Goudsberg, a moraine ridge formed during the ice age.
While the exact center of the Netherlands shifts depending on the inclusion of the Wadden Islands and territorial waters, this spot remains the historically accepted cultural center for the mainland.
The Centre of the Netherlands (Middelpunt van Nederland) is a geodetic landmark located in the forest near Lunteren, marked by a large stone boulder. It designates the calculated geographical center of the country as established by surveyor N.N. Grashuis in 1897. The site features the 'Gelders Middelpunt' stone, placed on the top of the Goudsberg hill at an elevation of approximately 45 meters above sea level. Surrounding the marker are walking trails through the Wekeromse Zand and Lunterse Bos areas. The area includes a series of calendar stones that function as a primitive solar observatory or calendar. It serves as a historical waypoint for hikers traversing the Veluwe region.
The main boulder marker surrounded by the forest canopy.
Combine your visit with a hike through the neighboring Wekeromse Zand shifting sands.
Wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots, as the sandy forest paths can be uneven.
Bring a compass or map, as cell service can be intermittent in the dense wooded areas.
Do not attempt to access the site by car; strictly follow the marked footpath network.
Keep noise levels low to respect the natural wildlife; do not climb on the protected historical marker.
