Planedome

Just outside Dwingeloo, at the edge of the Dwingelderveld National Park, you will find the former Planetron Cinedome. The Planetron Cinedome in Dwingeloo housed one of the two Zeiss planetariums in the Netherlands. The Planetron was opened in mid-1989 by astronaut Jerry Ross. With its opening, Planetron immediately became one of the largest information centers on astronomy and space travel in our country.

The Planetron was a unique attraction, solely due to the design of the building. A large dome-shaped projection screen of 350 m², the largest projection screen in Northern Netherlands, showcased breathtaking presentations.

During the surround film presentations, you got the impression of being on a journey yourself. The projection on the gigantic screen, combined with a sound system that immerses you in a sea of sound, gives you the sensation of being transported to other worlds!

Declining interest, combined with rapid technological and extremely expensive developments in large-format projection, led Planetron to decide to cease the projection of these films as of January 2015. Since then, Planetron has only been open for stargazing evenings.

Since then, the building has been for sale, with previous initiatives failing due to lack of funds or because they did not fit into the plans of the municipality of Westerveld.

After standing practically empty for 6 years, the Planetron in Dwingeloo has found a new purpose. In 2021, the Recreation Board of Drenthe, Marketing Drenthe, and Vital Holiday Parks became the new users.

The parties had been looking for a joint location for some time. Marketing Drenthe and the Vital Holiday Parks project of the province of Drenthe are moving from Assen to Dwingeloo, while the Recreation Board of Drenthe is leaving the Brink in Diever.

The former information center for astronomy is being converted into a 'Tourist House', where the different parties will collaborate. "By working together in one location, collaboration between these parties will be further intensified and efficiency benefits can be achieved," a statement said. "The Tourist House can also serve as a meeting point for other organizations, individuals, and companies related to the recreation and tourism sector."

In 2023, the Open Science Hub and the Tourist Information Point (TIP) will move from the Brink in Dwingeloo to the Planetron at the edge of the Dwingelderveld. They have found a spot on the ground floor.

The former radio telescope has since been converted, and the name has changed to: Planedome. Various recreational organizations are now located there, and since recently (2023), there is also a catering establishment. Together, they are making the Planedome the Gateway to the Dwingelderveld in Dwingeloo.

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