The original camp consisted of nine huts, including a communal kitchen hut and a separate area for washing.
Supplies were transported to the site by resistance members on bicycles, often covering long distances to avoid suspicion.
The camp was discovered only after a chance encounter between a patrolling German soldier and an 11-year-old boy in the woods.
The location was chosen for its dense forest cover and sandy soil, which allowed for the excavation of deep, stable pits.
Many of the refugees were liberated or moved just days before the site was discovered during the final months of the war.
The reconstruction was maintained as a national monument to honor the people who provided food and protection to those in hiding.
The Hidden Village, known locally as 'Het Verscholen Dorp', is a reconstructed secret encampment built by the Dutch resistance in the woods near Vierhouten during World War II. Between 1943 and 1944, this site provided a clandestine refuge for up to 93 people, including Jewish individuals, downed Allied pilots, and political fugitives. The refugees lived in nine underground huts, known as 'wouters', dug into the sandy soil and camouflaged with forest debris to remain invisible from the air and patrolling German forces. In October 1944, a young boy accidentally discovered the site, leading to a German raid that resulted in the arrest of most inhabitants and the execution of eight prisoners. Today, three of the original underground huts have been reconstructed at the site to serve as a memorial. The area remains an open-air historical site accessible via walking trails through the Veluwe forest. It serves as a reminder of the civilian resistance efforts and the harsh reality of life in hiding during the occupation.
The entrance to the reconstructed underground 'wouters' providing a view of the camouflaged design.
Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes as the site is located on sandy forest paths.
Bring mosquito repellent, as the site is situated in a dense, damp woodland area.
Download or print a map before arrival, as mobile reception can be inconsistent in the heart of the Veluwe forest.
Do not wander off marked trails, as the surrounding forest is a protected nature reserve.
Maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor; this is a somber memorial site.
