Servaasbolwerk, Utrecht
Utrecht is an old city, with many medieval monuments, some of them over a millennium old. In medieval times it was the religious center of the Netherlands, but it lost some of its glory after the reformation.
Today it is the fourth largest city of the the Netherlands, and home to the country’s largest university.
Utrecht is a railway hub and can easily be reached by train. Its many bus lines help you get around the city.
Herb garden of the Dom church
Where the skylines of other Dutch cities are now dominated by modern skyscrapers, the skyline of Utrecht is still dominated by the tower of the Dom church, the highest church tower in the country.
The church was built in the 13th century as St Martin’s Cathedral, to replace an older cathedral. Since 1580 it is a protestant church. The nave of the church was never finished and collapsed during a tornado in 1674. It was not rebuilt, so the tower is separated from the church, with the Domplein square in between.
Oude Gracht
The Oude Gracht (Old Canal) is a medieval canal that runs through downtown Utrecht. What makes this canal different from the famous Amsterdam canals are the werven: quays and cellars at water level. Many of these are converted to cafes and restaurants, where you can enjoy your dinner along the canal, well below street level.
Built in the 17th century as a lawn for jeu de mail, the Maliebaan is now a wide lane, lined with trees and decorated with 17 sculptures.
On the south end of the Maliebaan is the former Maliebaan station. It houses the Railway Museum and is well worth a visit, especially if you travel with children.
Rietveld Schröder House
The Rietveld Schröder House was commisioned by a Mrs. Schröder, and built by Dutch architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld, in the style of Dutch art movement De Stijl. It is a UNESCO world heritage site since 2000.