Attractions in Utrecht

Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands. It is located in the centre of the state in the province of the same name, of which it is the capital. The city has a rich history, dating back to the first century AD. Then the Romans began to build defensive structures and fortresses. Today Utrecht is one of the most economically important cities in the Netherlands and offers attractions for everyone.

Utrecht Cathedral

The cathedral and the Dome Tower were once one. But a tornado tore the structures apart. Today the cathedral is a magnificent building in the Gothic style. It has been in use since the Middle Ages, when it was thought to be the largest such building in the Dutch countryside.

The cathedral features a choir and a cross aisle, which have been preserved to this day. The central nave, which was demolished, has been replaced today by a plaza decorated with a variety of trees. Inside, the temple is impressive with its magnificent vaulted arches and bright stained glass windows.

The Dome Tower

The Dome Tower is a rude structure reaching 112.5 metres in height. It can be seen from any part of Utrecht. The tower is one of the trademarks of the city. The tower was built in 1321. The tower has a bell tower with 14 bells from the Middle Ages, weighing 32,000 pounds. They weigh 32,000 kg in total.

The tower has a special room. It contains various items and other attributes that tell about its history. Souvenirs are also available for purchase. The top of the tower is accessed by a staircase with 465 steps.

Botanical Garden of the University of Utrecht

The Botanical Gardens are situated in the east of Utrecht and belong to the local university. It covers 8 hectares, divided into 6 different zones. Here, one can admire the rock garden, visit the wildlife garden, which is home to a huge variety of animals, and stroll into the fort where numerous varieties of flowers are on display.

One of the main decorations on the grounds are the fountains. They are neatly placed amongst over 10,000 species of plants. There is also a big greenhouse in the garden. There is a unique collection of butterflies in it. They were collected from different parts of our planet.

Wilhelmina Park

On the way to the Botanical Gardens one must go to the Queen Wilhelmina Great City Park. It is a colourful place known for its peace and tranquillity. The park is characterised by its landscaping in the English style. The project was designed by a Dutch garden architect called Hendrik Kopein.

The park has been functioning since 1898. There are various statues, monuments, lots of interesting plants, benches and picturesque paths. Here you can observe the Tea House building, admire the rose garden and the Central Pond. There are separate paths for cyclists.

The Austeregracht canal

The Audegracht is one of the most beautiful canals in the Netherlands. A walk along it allows you to enjoy incredible views of central Utrecht as you make your way from the southeast to the north. Once part of the canal was considered a section of the Rhine River. The other part consists of segments of a canal created in 1000 AD.

The lock network was built in 1275. After that, the banks began to be equipped with wharves, piers and storage facilities. Today, most of the buildings are given over to various establishments.