Page 208 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

206  WESTERN NE THERLANDS

Exploring Utrecht 15th-century former convent.
Its fascinating collection
Utrecht, founded by the Romans in AD 47, has been a provides a good overview
bishopric and university town for centuries. It has grown into of the troubled history of
a lively city, thanks to its central position. Utrecht was very Christianity in the Netherlands.
prosperous during the 16th and 17th centuries, when many It includes paintings by,
among others, Rembrandt van
of the magnificent canalside houses were built. These houses Rijn, ancient manuscripts and
are a characteristic feature of the town centre, as are the richly decorated books. The
medieval churches and monasteries. The city centre is museum also houses numerous
compact, so is very suitable for exploring on foot. visiting exhibitions. From the
museum you can enter into
the Catharijnekerk (1529).
of the church was connected to
the tower by an arch, allowing the
bishop to move safely to and from E Centraal Museum
the church. In 1674, the nave was Agnietenstraat 1. @ Tel 030-2362362.
destroyed by a hurricane. The tower Open 11am–5pm Tue–Sun.
has stood on its own since then. Closed 1 Jan, 27 Apr, 25 Dec. & 7
The interior of the church, with 8 - ∑ centraalmuseum.nl
its stained-glass windows, Neo- Centraal Museum, the oldest
Gothic organ (1831) and magnif- municipal museum in the
icent chancel, is worth a visit. Netherlands, has a large and
extremely varied collection,
the oldest pieces of which date
E Aboriginal Art Museum from the Middle Ages. Extensive
Oudegracht 176. @ Tel 030-2380100. rebuilding and renovations
Open 10am–5pm Tue–Fri, 11am–5pm were carried out in 1999
Sat & Sun. Closed 1 Jan, 27 Apr, and 2015, giving rise to an
25 Dec. & 7 - = ∑ aamu.nl interesting combination of
This museum, the only one of old and new. The museum has
its kind in Europe, is devoted the largest collection of Gerrit
to the many different styles of Rietveld furniture in the world.
The 112-m (367-ft) Domtoren rises Aboriginal art, including painting Works by Utrecht artists such
above the town and sculpture. The focus is on as Van Scorel and Bloemaert,
traditional art produced in as well as 20th-century artists
P Domtoren Australian co-operatives. such as Pyke Koch and Dick
Domplein. @ Tel 030-2360010. Bruna – creator of the children’s
Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sat, noon– E Museum character Nijntje (Miffy) – are
5pm Sun–Mon.Closed 1 Jan, 27 Apr, Catharijneconvent also showcased. Bruna’s works
25 & 26 Dec. & 8 obligatory. Lange Nieuwstraat 38. @ are shown in the Brunahuis
∑ domtoren.nl Tel 030-2313835. Open 10am–5pm across the road. The varied
The first thing you will see from Tue–Fri, 11am–5pm Sat, Sun & hols. exhibitions range from
the distance is the Domtoren Closed 1 Jan, 27 Apr. & 7 8 - traditional art to fashion and
(cathedral tower) rising above the = ∑ catharijneconvent.nl historical costumes, to modern
town. The Dom (cathedral) has The museum is split between art and applied art and design,
become the symbol of the town. a canalside house and a to the local history of Utrecht.
Utrecht came into being on the
Domplein (cathedral square),
where the Romans had a
settlement in the 1st century AD.
In 695, Bishop Willibrord
established himself here. In 1040,
Bishop Bernold ordered a “cross
of churches” to be built, which
meant four churches with the
later Domkerk in the centre. Work
began on building the Domkerk
in 1254 and in 1321 on the tower.
The Gothic tower was finally
finished in 1382.
Collegiate churches usually
have two towers, but the
Domkerk has only one. The nave The Matchmaker by Gerard van Honthorst in the Centraal Museum
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p397 and p410

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