We had a wonderful visit to the city of Utrecht when we were in the Netherlands. We spent the day there, but I felt it was a place I could return to again and again and not grow weary of it!
The area where the city lies, has been home to people for thousands of years, but the Romans are probably responsible for the actual settlement on this site. We loved strolling round the streets, visiting some of the wonderful buildings, and wandering along beside the canal. We also had a very fine lunch there!
Perhaps the most famous building is the Dom Church, St Martin’ Cathedral; it is a very old building and absolutely magnificent. the first Christian place of worship was built in the seventh century but various disastrous fires occurred over the centuries, and it was only in the middle ages that the present church was constructed.
Utrecht is described as the religious capital of the Netherlands, but it was also an important trading city, with the River Rhine allowing merchants and traders from across Europe to access its markets.
Like most parts of the Netherlands, bikes are a major form of transport!
Lois Elsden 