Only 3 more days until Dutch Heritage Weekend, whoop whoop!
Today, let's talk about... Utrecht! A lot of the buildings here are within walking distance of Central Station, which is good, because Utrecht is a nice city to walk around in. There are lots of cafes and cool little shops, and if the weather's good this city's is very gezellig.
Today, let's talk about... Utrecht! A lot of the buildings here are within walking distance of Central Station, which is good, because Utrecht is a nice city to walk around in. There are lots of cafes and cool little shops, and if the weather's good this city's is very gezellig.
1. ACADEMIEGEBOUW
When they wanted to build a new main building for the Utrecht University around 1890, architects fought over what should be the style of architecture. I believe some architects wanted a neo-gothical building designed by Pierre Cuypers, others wanted neo-renaissance because they thought neo-gothicism would fit a church more, not a university building. In the end, neo-renaissance won, but as 'revenge' (I mean.. what are we talking about here people!?), the minister of home affairs built a neo-gothical gate right next to this building. The gate was designed by Pierre Cuypers' son. Man, I love a little drama between architects ;)
Address: Domplein 29
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 10.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: It's a 12 minute walk from Central Station
Address: Domplein 29
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 10.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: It's a 12 minute walk from Central Station
2. FUNDATIE VAN RENSWOUDE
In this beautiful rococo building by Johan Verkerk, the brightest orphan boys from the local orphanage were allowed to be educated here. The lush board room is still intact, and looks very stately and regal. Notice the symmetry, by the way! The beautiful portrets in the gallery were painted by students.
Address: Agnietenstraat 5
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 10.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: From Central Station take bus 2 to 'CS via Museumkwartier' and get off at Centraal Museum. From here it's a 2 minute walk. Or walk 19 minutes from Central Station.
Address: Agnietenstraat 5
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 10.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: From Central Station take bus 2 to 'CS via Museumkwartier' and get off at Centraal Museum. From here it's a 2 minute walk. Or walk 19 minutes from Central Station.
3. SINT-WILLIBRORDKERK
I probably mentioned this like a hundred times already in the few blog posts I have written so far, but I like religious buildings (I admit that so far I only mentioned churches, but I like other religious buildings too ;)). Haha. I like this church because of the dainty decorations, and I love all the colourful details in blue and pink. I like colour in churches - it sort of shows the fun side of religion (haha).
Address: Minrebroederstraat 21
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 11.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: It's a 11 minute walk from Central Station
Address: Minrebroederstraat 21
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 11.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: It's a 11 minute walk from Central Station
4. BARTHOLOMEUS GASTHUIS
A gasthuis was a place where care was provided for the elderly and sick, and this building still has that function today. What makes this 17th Century building special are the gobelin tapestries from Delft (gobelin referring to the French family that dyed tapestries).
Address: Lange Smeestraat 40
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 10.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: It's a 11 minute walk from Central Station
Address: Lange Smeestraat 40
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 10.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: It's a 11 minute walk from Central Station
5. SINT-GERTRUDISKATHEDRAAL & -KAPEL
I have written about the Old Catholic church here, and this church is sort of like the headquarters of the Old Catholics. The chapel is a clandestine church - a hidden church - and is one of the best kept clandestine churches in the Netherlands. The cathedral was built later. I've never actually been, but on the photo the interior seems blue coloured, and if that's the case, well... you know I like colour in churches :)
Address: Willemsplantsoen 2
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 10.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: It's a 6 minute walk from Central Station
Address: Willemsplantsoen 2
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 10.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: It's a 6 minute walk from Central Station
6. HET UTRECHTS ARCHIEF
Where this archive institution is located now, there used to be an abbey in 1050 (isn't it crazy to think that people were here by the way, on the same spot, a thousand years ago?), of which you can still see some remains. You have for instance some remains left of the dining room, the dormitory, the library and the ambulatory. Architect Christiaan Kramm designed the neoclassical façade in the 19th century.
Address: Hamburgerstraat 28
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 10.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: It's a 13 minute walk from Central Station
Address: Hamburgerstraat 28
Opening Hours: Saturday 14 September 10.00 - 17.00 uur
How to get there: It's a 13 minute walk from Central Station
And that was Utrecht for ya! For all other open monuments, check: http://www.openmonumentendag.nl/open-monumentendag-english-summary/
*disclaimer
1st photo borrowed from here, 2nd photo borrowed from here, 3rd photo borrowed from here, 4th photo borrowed from here, 5th photo borrowed from here, 6th photo borrowed from here.
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