Dear Commons Community,
Elaine and I spent the day in Utrecht which is an historic, cultural, religious and education hub of the Netherlands. Although there is some evidence of even earlier inhabitation in the region, Utrecht dates back to the Stone Age (app. 2200 BCE). The founding date of the city is usually related to the construction of a Roman fortification built around 50 CE. In 723, the Frankish leader Charles Martel established Utrecht as a religious base for bishops and from then on Utrecht became the most influential seat of power for the Catholic Church in the Netherlands. Its location on the banks of the river Rhine also allowed Utrecht to become an important trading center. In 1636, Utrecht University was founded and today enrolls almost 40,000 students and is the largest university in the Netherlands. It also enjoys an international reputation as one of the leading research universities in Europe.
The old part of Utrecht is incredibly charming with lots of small streets, alleys, and shops. Restaurants dot along the canals. It is an easy place to walk and Elaine and I logged six miles in one day.
Exhausting but fun!
Tony
Tower of Domtoren which was part of the Cathedral of St. Martin
Statue of Liberty in Front of the Cathedral
Gardens outside of the Cathedral
Main altar of the Cathedral
Academic Center of Utrecht University
Protest signs were posted on a number of windows of the Utrecht University Academic Center
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Utrecht sounds like a perfect day trip! I love how you spent time exploring both the city’s rich history (going all the way back to the Stone Age!) and just enjoying its pretty canals and streets. Walking six miles shows you really wanted to see everything this Dutch city has to offer. Your description makes me want to visit and eat at those restaurants along the canals myself!