A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands
A chilly stroll around this attractive university town
(Photos/words © urban75, March 2009)
Located in the north-eastern end of the Randstad, Utrecht is the capital of the Dutch province of Utrecht and the fourth largest city of the Netherlands, with a population of 300,000.
The religious centre of the Netherlands since the eighth century, Utrecht is a stunningly pretty town, offering some beautiful architecture, striking churches and a delightful canal curving through the city.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-01.jpg) The Netherlands is cycling mad, and we passed several groups of cyclists during our trip from Helmond to Utrecht.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-02.jpg)
'OK' advertising sign against a darkening sky.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-03.jpg) Canal scene, Utrecht
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-05.jpg) More bikes. As a keen cyclist living in an age where car culture dominates, I loved the city's strong focus on cycling.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-04.jpg)
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-06.jpg) Shop window.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-07.jpg)
Cutting through the centre of the old town centre, the Oudegracht canal was originally an arm of the River Rhine.
The canal runs below the road level, creating twin-level thoroughfares, with warehouses and wharves built underneath the street.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-08.jpg)
Looking along the canal, showing the tall buildings flanking the water.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-09.jpg) It wasn't particularly warm - in fact it was chuffing freezing! - but we still managed to fit in a picnic by the canal.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-10.jpg) Art around the canal.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-11.jpg) Interesting stone sculptures by the canal.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-12.jpg) Frog eating sculpture!
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-13.jpg)
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-14.jpg)
Classic Dutch architecture, with stepped and curved gables.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-15.jpg) Vintage postcards.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-16.jpg)
Saucy old postcards. Phwooar!
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-17.jpg)
Located at the OudeGracht is the famous rock club Tivoli (the club also has a second location just outside the centre).
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-18.jpg)
Looking along the deserted canal.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-19.jpg)
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-20.jpg)
Cyclists crossing over the canal.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-21.jpg)
The attractive 18th century Magazijn de Vlijt building at Lijnmarkt 48 overlooks the canal.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-22.jpg)
Old and new canal side buildings
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-23.jpg)
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-24.jpg) Andersom Coffee Shop at Vismarkt 23 for all your cannabis needs!
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-25.jpg) Walking towards the Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, standing 112.5 metres (368 feet) high.
The Gothic-style tower is the symbol of the city and formed part of the Cathedral of Saint Martin, Utrecht (Dom Church) which was built between 1321 and 1382.
The tower marks the spot where the city of Utrecht originated almost 2,000 years ago.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-47.jpg)
Financial problems meant that the cathedral was never fully completed, and after the unfinished nave collapsed in 1672 the Dom tower has remained a free standing tower.
Here you can see the space between the two buildings.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-27.jpg)
Looking up at the Dom Tower. Inside lurks a mighty peal of fourteen ringing bells, weighing 32,000 kg.
The Dom tower was not only a belfry - inside there's a private chapel of the bishop of Utrecht on the first floor and it has also served as the watchtower with the tower guard housed on the second floor of the lower square block.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-26.jpg)
Man buys snack. Dog looks on, no doubt dribbling profusely.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-28.jpg)
Attractive building next to the church.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-29.jpg)
Church gardens.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-30.jpg)
Dom Church detail.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-31.jpg)
Tiled sign on nearby building.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-32.jpg)
Looking back at the Dom Tower.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-33.jpg)
Curious sculpture.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-34.jpg)
Cyclists.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-35.jpg)
Beer sign.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-36.jpg)
Utrecht architecture.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-37.jpg)
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-38.jpg)
Street scene.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-39.jpg)
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-40.jpg)
This sign says that the building dates from 1597. Least, I think it does.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-41.jpg)
Created by local boy Dick Bruna in 1955, the Miffy children’s character is now on permanent display in the Dick Bruna house, opposite the Centraal Museum in Utrecht.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-43.jpg)
Well worth a visit is the Rietveld Schröder House, a short ride out from the centre.
Awarded UNESCO list of World Heritage Site status in 2 December 2000, the modernist house was built in 1924 by Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld for Mrs. Truus Schröder-Schräder and her three children.
One of the best known examples of De Stijl-architecture, the house represents a radical break with all architecture before it, with dynamic, changeable open zones inside, utilising a system of sliding and revolving panels.
We took a guided tour inside, but seeing as we were banned from taking photos, I cant show you anything!
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-44.jpg) House detail.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-42.jpg)
Nearby house by the same architect.
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-48.jpg)
Passing FC Utrecht football ground. Notice the stacks of bicycles outside - the concept of cycling to a big match in the UK is almost unheard of!
![A walk around Utrecht, Netherlands with photos of landmarks, canals, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/utrecht-netherlands-45.jpg)
We stopped off for some coffee and cakes before heading home - and they were very nice indeed.
« Netherlands photos home
|
|