The large boulder was placed to prevent damage to the corner of the building by wagon wheels. Legend has it that devils played marbles with the stone at night. Local residents grew tired of the infernal noise and, after a priest had driven away the devils, chained the boulder. In 1520, the boulder was already […]
View on the Bemuurde Weerd
View of the Bemuurde Weerd This cityscape was drawn around 1830 by Jan Hendrik Verheijen (1778 – 1848). To the right of the center, the Weerdsluis is visible: the spot where the Utrecht city moat merges with the river Vecht. This lock was constructed in the Middle Ages to regulate the water level in the […]
The Old Houtensepad – old toll road
Oude Houtensepad formerly known as Houtense Zandweg Around Utrecht, there were various toll roads in the past, such as the Oude Houtensepad, formerly known as the Houtense Zandweg. This road was an important access road to the southern part of the province of Houten and Schalkwijk. It was therefore a toll road, with an accompanying […]
Sawmill Kranenburg
The Kranenburg sawmill This wind sawmill was built in 1797 for sawing wood that was transported via the Krommerijn river. The mill was built by B. Reyster and changed owners several times. Between 1815 and 1922, the miller collected tolls from passing barges and timber rafts that sailed between Utrecht and Wijk bij Duurstede. These […]
City Wall of Utrecht
Waterline 13th century – base layer 13th century – still visible arches – earthen rampart ca 1515 – level of the park In 1122, Utrecht received city rights, which allowed the city to fortify itself. This was done by digging the city outer moat, building earthen ramparts, and constructing some tuff stone gates and towers. […]
The Layabout (baliekluiver)
The Baliekluiver (Layabout) refers to a time when the activity in the city of Utrecht was concentrated around the canals and wharves. The loading and unloading of ships onto carts and further transportation required a lot of manpower. The Baliekluiver symbolizes a casual worker who, leaning on the railing (balie), waits for a job at […]
former public reading room
Former Public Reading Room Former public reading room built in 1910 in late Neo-Renaissance style, designed by J. Stuivinga. On the right-hand side is the accompanying service residence. Prior to this, the house of 17th-century theology professor Gisbertus Voetius (1589-1676) stood on this site.
The Pope house
From 1815 until 1954, Paushuize was used as a workspace and residence for the governor of the province of Utrecht, later called the Commissioner of the King or Queen. When the governor moved to Paushuize, two guard houses were placed on the bridge over the Kromme Nieuwegracht. These (probably unmanned) guard houses possibly symbolized the […]
History of the Popehouse Utrecht
This house is the official residence of the Commissioner of the King in the province of Utrecht. It owes its name to Adriaen Florisz, born in Utrecht in 1459, who was elected Pope (Adrian VI) one year before his death. The history of the building complex dates back to the 14th century. Paushuize is located […]
The big Chapter House of the Dom
Built in 1462/67 on the site of an older and smaller building, this structure was used for special gatherings, such as the meeting of the five chapters in which a new bishop was elected. It was also the meeting hall for the States of Utrecht until 1528. On January 25, 1579, the Union of Utrecht […]