Utrecht highlights

 

Utrecht is situated in the heart of Holland and is one of the oldest Dutch cities. The canals and quaysides enjoy worldwide fame because no other city has pedestrian quaysides along its romantic 14th century sunken canals. Utrecht is also renowned for its museums ranging from Christian art to street organs.

Dom Tower

The ultimate symbol of the city of Utrecht is its 112-meter-high Dom Tower. Climb the 465 steps and enjoy the magnificent views! You can climb the Dom Tower with a guide any day of the year. Please, do make a reservation on weekdays! It is quite a climb; 465 steps take you up 102 meters. On the way, the guide will stop a few times to tell you interesting details on the chapel, the tower guard, the bells, the carillon and the view.

The canals

Utrecht owes its lively character partly to the city’s beautiful canals. The canals in Utrecht are unique. No other city has quaysides directly located on the water. Enjoy a delicious meal in one of the restaurants here or view the city from a canal boat, canoe, rowing boat or water bike.

From musical clock to street organ

Unfortunately, increasingly fewer street organs liven up the streets of Holland these days. Just as well that you can still see and hear them in the National Museum from Musical Clock to Street Organ in Utrecht.
The collection comprises musical clocks, music boxes, pianolas, orchestrions, street organs, fairground organs and dance hall organs. The instruments are demonstrated during guided tours. The repertoire ranges from classical tunes to tearjerkers and from Vienna waltzes to modern house music. In the ‘pling-plong’ room children can compose their own musical box tunes.

Fortresses

The fortresses no longer, fortunately, have a military purpose. Located in areas of scenic beauty, the fortresses are a sight to be seen. The New Dutch Waterlinie was a strip of land which, when flooded, was a defence line. The main part of this defence line lies in the province of Utrecht and around the city of Utrecht. The defence line was constructed between 1815 and 1885.