Utrecht, a dutch city gem

Updated 1 January 2020

Hi guys,

When you think of Holland, most of you will automatically picture Amsterdam.  Beyond doubt, Amsterdam is one of the most fantastic and enchanted  places to go to in the Netherlands, but there are so many other interesting cities worth a visit in the Netherlands, that I consider it  my special and privileged task as future inhabitant of the Netherlands to get you acquainted with these other city gems.  So today I would like to take you on a virtual tour in one of Holland's most beautiful cities: Utrecht.  Since 2015, when this city hosted the "Le Grand Depart de la Tour de France", the grand start of one of the most prestigious sports events in the world, Utrecht has officially been  put on the world map.

Recently, foreign media reported the passing away (23.08.1927 - 16.2.2017) of a well-known citizen, Dick Bruna, the author and illustrator of Nijntje, known in English as Miffy the rabbit.  He is said to be the most translated author in the Netherlands, except for Anne Frank.  His books were translated into over 50 languages and Bruna sold some 85 million books during his life, news agency ANP said. The first was published in 1955. His museum, the Dick Bruna Huis, in Utrecht, is well-known by young families.

I'm not going to bother you with the long history of the city, but I would like to mention that it originated 50 B.C. as a Roman fortress along the Rhine river (in Latin: Traiectum ad Rhenum = crossing along Rhine) on what is now the Dom Square.

The iconic Dom tower, with its 112 m height being the tallest church tower in the Netherlands,  at the heart of Utrecht's historical old centre,  is open to the public all year round.  You will need to be fit to climb the  465 steps as there is no elevator, but the breathtaking view over the city is really worth it. 

You can also experience the DOMunder, a 75 min. guided underground tour to discover 2000 years of Utrecht history.

What makes Utrecht unique in the world is the web of gorgeous canals with warfs and wharf cellars, the latter hosting bars, restaurants and small shops.

I can't think of another city in The Netherlands that has that such a lot of outside terraces, offering the finest food and drinks.

The Frietwinkel by dapp bio food, the first biological fries shop in the Netherlands was opened in Utrecht (Vinkenburgstraat 10).    Their delicious fries are served in a clever cone with built-in sauce holder.

Culture lovers will adore the numerous statues this lovely city has to offer. In the photo slider above I already wanted to give you an idea of what you are in for:

* The fountain with a bronze statue of the 14th-century canon (priest) Hugo Wstinc, situated in the middle of the idyllic Dom monastery garden (called Pandhof)

* The sculpture "Spoetnikkijker" (Sputnik-watcher), made by Oswald Wenckebach in 1957 at the Park Sonneborgh

* The sculpture of a market woman with roosters under her arms (by Theo van de Vathorst) situated at the Vismarkt (Fish market).

I already mentioned the Nijntje museum, which is only one of the numerous musea Utrecht is known for.  One of my favourites, though, is the Dutch National Railway Museum at Maliebaan (https://www.spoorwegmuseum.nl/). It is a semi-closed railway station that guarantees a fun day out for the entire family. I hope my pictures can convince you to pay this museum a visit.

I already mentioned her name in the beginning of my post, so I would like to end with a serious anecdote.  Although Anne Frank is linked to the city of Amsterdam, it is actually the city of Utrecht (location Janskerkhof) that was donated  her  statue. In order to commemorate all those that have been prosecuted in the Netherlands, the Anne Frank statue, made by the artist Pieter d'Hont in 1959, the year Anne Frank would have turned 30, was donated by the Utrecht youth on Memorial Day (5th May 1959) to the city and unveiled in 1960.

I hope you will pay a visit to this lovely city when you are in The Netherlands! It is worth your while!

Bye for now

Warm regards,

LittleBoy2Be

 

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