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.
Poem Els van Stalborch
Poem Your freshly laundered words aroused snakes beneath the skin and what you wanted fell asleep in a wrinkle of time and woke up after centuries. You did not survive. You could not know that your struggle still cleaves all lush tongues and Utrecht has not forgotten you. Els van Stalborch.
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 […]
Monastic House of a prebendary of the Dom
Monastic House of a prebendary from the Dom The clergy (canons) of the Dom used to live in claustral houses, which were often large detached houses with gardens. The tower-shaped part of this claustral house dates back to around 1400, and the plastered wing was added around 1500. The staircase tower at the back was […]
Poem of “Warmte vergt jaren groei”
Even though I’m seventy I’m still planting trees withhold the neighbors from mocking me in birth lies death it is good not to know the hour of death from:”Heat requires years of growth” Willem Hussem. 8 augustus 2010 Annemarie Kooistra
Manenburg, bastion on the canal
Manenburg In the middle of the 16th century, four defensive bastions were built by order of Emperor Charles V, one on the north side of the city (morning star) and three on the south side. Manenburg is the middle of those three. The strongholds were designed by Willem van Noort, advised by the Italian master […]