Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
3 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
4 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
5 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
6 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the Netherlands Ecokathedraal
AO Edited

Ecokathedraal

Nestled in the woods lies this land art project: a hybrid between park, maze and natural monument.

Mildam, Netherlands

Added By
Simon and Marjolijn
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  Simon and Marjolijn / Atlas Obscura User
  Simon and Marjolijn / Atlas Obscura User
The entrance gate.   Simon and Marjolijn / Atlas Obscura User
  Simon and Marjolijn / Atlas Obscura User
  Simon and Marjolijn / Atlas Obscura User
  Simon and Marjolijn / Atlas Obscura User
  Simon and Marjolijn / Atlas Obscura User
  rmhogervorst / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Walking between these stone and concrete structures feels like you are exploring the ruins of an ancient civilization. Scattered between the trees are endless paths, nooks, and crannies to get lost in. In reality, however, the "overgrownness" of the structures is highly intentional, and part of its design.

In the 1970s, artist Louis le Roy (1924-2012) obtained an empty piece of land and began building what is now known as the Ecokathedraal (''eco cathedral'') near the town of Mildam, Netherlands. He made an arrangement with the municipality that leftover bricks and debris from construction projects would be brought to him. Without using machinery or cement, he slowly erected structures that would collectively make up his "eco-tectural" artwork.

Le Roy's core belief was that when humans and nature work together, a high level of natural complexity can be achieved. His refusal to use cement plays an important part in this because cracks between the stones become places where plants and insects can live. Le Roy worked without a building plan, instead using whatever resources were available to him to create a more organic and unpredictable layout. 

Today, the Ecokathedraal is publicly accessible and covers about two hectares. Following his passing in 2012, Le Roy's work has been taken over by volunteers, who continue to expand upon the area. 

The Ecokathedraal is not a finished project: It was Le Roy's intention that the man-made structures and nature in the area have hundreds of years to grow in complexity. In this way, while the Ecokathedraal is a collaboration between humans and nature, its third—and arguably most important—contributor, is time.

Related Tags

Cathedral Conservation Ecology Nature Architectural Oddities

Know Before You Go

Visitors can park 500 meters away at restaurant Hof van Schoterland. While the area is freely accessible, the foundation that manages the eco cathedral emphasizes that it is not an attraction, but an active working site. Climbing on the structures is not permitted, and there are no toilets or other facilities on site.  

Community Contributors

Added By

Simon and Marjolijn

Edited By

rmhogervorst

  • rmhogervorst

Published

August 25, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.stichtingtijd.nl/
  • https://www.ecokathedraal.nl/
Ecokathedraal
IJntzelaan
Mildam, 8454
Netherlands
52.942141, 5.997849
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Herkules Windmill

De Veenhoop, Netherlands

miles away

Giethoorn

Giethoorn, Netherlands

miles away

Zendstation Smilde Replica

Hoogersmilde, Netherlands

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Netherlands

Netherlands

Europe

Places 348
Stories 20

Nearby Places

Herkules Windmill

De Veenhoop, Netherlands

miles away

Giethoorn

Giethoorn, Netherlands

miles away

Zendstation Smilde Replica

Hoogersmilde, Netherlands

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Netherlands

Netherlands

Europe

Places 348
Stories 20

Related Places

  • The Cathedral Café has been serving its community for more than 120 years.

    Fayetteville, West Virginia

    Cathedral Café

    Soak in the sacred vibes at this beloved food and coffee hangout inside a former church.

    Sponsored by West Virginia Department of Tourism
  • Tucson, Arizona

    Tumamoc Hill

    Hikers and walkers flock to this historic volcanic butte for its scenic desert views.

    Sponsored by Visit Tucson 2025
  • Seadragons in motion.

    La Jolla, California

    Birch Aquarium at Scripps Seahorse and Seadragon Exhibit

    Go deep on these fascinating fish, and get a bonus lesson on the importance of marine conservation.

  • The Cardboard Cathedral in 2013

    Christchurch, New Zealand

    Cardboard Cathedral

    This semi-permanent cathedral was built of cardboard, wood, and steel after Christchurch's 2011 earthquake.

  • Puffins thrive off the coast of Maine thanks to a 1970s effort called Project Puffin.

    Rockland, Maine

    Project Puffin Visitor Center

    Learn about the history and hopeful future of Maine’s nesting birds at this interactive Audubon facility.

  • St. Mary’s Grotesques

    Glasgow, Scotland

    St. Mary's Grotesques

    Twenty carved heads in Glasgow take a comical, modern twist to the medieval apotropaic, avenger of evil.

  • High Street Gate

    Salisbury, England

    High Street Gate

    This gate served as a small lock-up jail in the 14th century.

  • Bellefield Stable (circa 1937/38), where Belle Baruch kept her horses. Baruch was an avid rider.

    Georgetown, South Carolina

    Hobcaw Barony

    This former hunting grounds that once attracted U.S. presidents and other luminaries. Now it’s a privately owned research reserve dedicated to environmental sciences.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.