St. Martin’s Cathedral (Dom church) is located next to the Cathedral Tower in Utrecht. Originally both were connected, but a tornado in 1674 caused the nave of the Cathedral to collapse, separating the Cathedral from the Tower. The first stone of the Cathedral was laid in 1254. In the years that followed, the Cathedral was Catholic until 1580 and then Dutch Reformed until 2003, when it became part of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands.
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© Willem Mes via Toerisme Utrecht -
Anne Hamers, Toerisme Utrecht -
Jurjen Drenth, Toerisme Utrecht
- The Domkerk is open 7 days per week.
- Visit Zaterdagmiddagmuziek, a free concert every Saturday.
- Over 400,000 visitors each year.
Highlights of St. Martin's Cathedral
When entering St. Martin’s Cathedral, you will immediately notice the 32-metre high vault. Other characteristics of the Cathedral are the pews across from each other, the tombs and the stained glass windows. The sculptures are damaged or beheaded. They have been expressly left that way as a reference to the Iconoclastic Outbreak of 1566, when Calvinists expressed their rage regarding the lavish wealth of the Catholic Church. St. Martin’s Cathedral was also not left untouched and the sculptures nowadays remind you of this historic event.
Attending a service in St. Martin's Cathedral
You can visit St. Martin’s Cathedral in Utrecht almost every day of the year at no charge. It is also possible to attend a service on Sundays or during special celebrations. Combine your visit with a stroll through the adjacent courtyard of the Tower and a lunch in the tearoom. The University Hall (Academiegebouw) at Domplein is also worth a photo.
Beneath Domplein square in Utrecht lies a fascinating exhibition about 2000 years of Domplein. Visit DOMunder.