Utrecht is the capital of the province of the same name and the fourth largest city in the Netherlands. It is located in the central part of the country - just 25 minutes south of Amsterdam. The history of the city goes back to the distant past, when in the 1st century AD the Romans built defensive fortresses - castrums. Over a huge historical period, Utrecht has become a large modern city and an important economic center of the Netherlands.
For many centuries this city was an important religious center of the country. This explains such a large number of historical churches among the attractions of Utrecht. A wealth of historic buildings, a network of picturesque canals and a range of varied and fascinating museums make this city a popular destination tourist destination. The list of attractions below will help you decide what to see in Utrecht.
Utrecht Cathedral. | Photo: Patrick Rasenberg / Flickr. Once upon a time main cathedral Utrecht was connected to the Dome Tower, but after the central nave collapsed during a tornado, the two structures separated. This beautiful Gothic cathedral has stood in Utrecht since the Middle Ages and was once considered the largest church in the Netherlands.
The architecture of the building is fully consistent with French Gothic examples. To date, surviving fragments old church- these are the choirs and the transverse nave, and on the territory of the destroyed central nave there is an area planted with trees.
The cathedral's surviving interior still impresses with its many ornate vaulted arches and colorful stained glass windows.
Address: St Martin's Cathedral, Achter de Dom, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Dome Tower Utrecht. | Photo: wikimedia. A huge 112.5-meter structure, the Dome Tower, rises above the center of Utrecht. It is clearly visible from anywhere in the city and is one of its most iconic landmarks. The tower was built in 1321 and stands separate from St Martin's Cathedral.
The tower houses a bell tower - a group of 14 medieval bells weighing a total of 32,000 kilograms. On weekdays, bells can still be heard from the tower at certain intervals, and on Saturdays real carillon concerts are held here.
There is a special room inside where visitors can learn about the history of the tower and buy original souvenirs. Climbing up the 465 steps, you will see a fantastic panorama of the Netherlands, and you can even see Rotterdam and Amsterdam in the distance.
Address: The Dom Tower, Domplein 21, 3512 JC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
DOMunder is located in the same place as the Dome Tower and Cathedral St. Martin - on Domplein. Descending to a depth of 4.7 m, you will find yourself in an unusual underground museum telling about the 2,000-year history of Utrecht.
The museum was opened in 2014 and is equipped with the most advanced technologies. Visitors are given interactive flashlights that illuminate the exhibits. Among the unique archaeological finds are fragments of stone walls of an ancient Roman fortress that stood on the site of the current Domplein square.
Address: DOMunder, Domplein, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Jukebox Museum. | Photo: Kotomi_/Flickr. The extraordinary Speelklok Museum is a magical place full of entertainment and amazing mechanical mechanisms that will delight visitors of all ages. The museum's exhibition presents a variety of devices with mechanical music - toys, watches, boxes, barrel organs and musical instruments.
There are sounds everywhere and moving parts of devices are visible. Most of the museum exhibits are still functioning. In addition to a beautifully curated collection of musical mechanisms, the museum gives visitors an insight into how these unique pieces are created. The manufacture of each part of the mechanism requires great skill, patience and dedication.
Address: Museum Speelklok, Steenweg, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Railway Museum. | Photo: Jan-Willem Reusink / Flickr. This interesting city museum is located in the eastern part of Utrecht, at the former Maliban railway station. The old station was reconstructed, and later a new building was added to it, which is connected to the main building through a pedestrian crossing.
The museum's collection includes unique items related to the history of the Dutch railways. The museum is divided into four thematic sections - “Dream Journeys”, “Steel Monsters”, “Workshop” and the Great Discovery.”
In addition to the main exhibition halls, the museum has a model railway, a children's play area, and a collection of real carriages and locomotives, such as De Arend and NS Class 200.
Address: Railway Museum, Maliebaanstation, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Utrecht canals
The presence of canals is a typical feature of Dutch cities, and Utrecht is no exception. There may not be as many of them as in Amsterdam, but they are very unusual in appearance - they are often called two-tiered. One embankment is located on the lower level, right next to the water, and the second, wider one, is on the upper level.
The canals running through the entire city center are simply mesmerizing with their beauty. Some of them you can ride on excursion boats, however much nicer in good weather take a walk.
Walking along the upper tier of the canals, you will see many tall, narrow houses of different colors, with doors opening directly onto the canal. While the lower tier gives you the opportunity to look at Utrecht from an unusual angle.
Address:
Central Museum Utrecht. The Utrecht Central Museum is the oldest city museum in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1838 and is located in the building of a former Augustinian monastery. The museum complex houses an impressive collection of paintings by such famous masters of the Utrecht school as Joachim Uttewael and Gerrit van Honthorst.
In addition to works by old masters, the museum's collection includes medieval sculptures, archaeological and religious exhibits, historical costumes and furniture, decorative and applied arts, jewelry and works by contemporary artists.
Among the most interesting exhibits is an ancient ship belonging to the type of so-called “Utrecht ships”, which is exhibited in the basement of the museum. With its rich and varied collection, the Utrecht Central Museum is a must-see, with something of interest for every visitor.
Address: Centraal Museum, Agnietenstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Botanical Garden of Utrecht University. | Photo: Tom Jutte/Flickr. The famous Botanical Garden of Utrecht is owned by the local university and is located in the eastern part of the city. The 8-hectare garden is divided into 6 areas, including a rock garden, a fort area with numerous varieties of flowers, and a wildlife garden where different types birds, reptiles and insects.
At the Utrecht Botanical Garden you will see many beautiful fountains and more than 10,000 types of vegetation. In addition, in the greenhouse you can admire the unique collection of butterflies - it amazes with the richness and variety of species presented, including such beautiful views like Morpho and Atlas Moths.
Address: Utrecht Botanical Gardens, Budapestlaan 17, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Flower market Janskerhof. | Photo: Alison Netsel/Flickr. Every Saturday there is a large flower market on the Janskerhof town square. It is located next to a medieval church, a short walk from the Duomo tower and the main town square.
Unlike the flower markets of Amsterdam, which focus mainly on tulips, the Utrecht market simply amazes with the variety of potted plants, cut flowers, seedlings, herbs and seeds.
The riot of smells and colors attracts numerous tourists here. In addition, this is a great place where you can feel the atmosphere of a real flower market, take some colorful shots or buy a small original souvenir.
Address: Janskerkhof flower market, Neude Janskerkhof en Domplein, 3512 JE Utrecht, The Netherlands.
The Roman Catholic Church of St. Willibrord is a prime example of neo-Gothic architecture. It is located in the center of Utrecht - not far from the Church of John the Baptist and the Dome Tower. The temple was built in the 1800s, making it a relatively new religious structure in the region.
From the outside, the building stands out for its tall and narrow design, while inside it stands out for its incredibly elegant and luxurious design. The magnificent interior truly impresses with its bright colors and numerous works of art.
Colorful stained glass windows frame the arched openings, and on the columns and ceiling there are many decorative elements in rich colors - green, orange and gold. For connoisseurs of beautiful architecture, the Church of St. Willibrord is a must-see attraction in Utrecht.
Address: Sint Willibrordkerk, Minrebroederstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Wilhelmina Park. | Photo: Tom Imrei/Flickr. Large city park located east of Utrecht – perfect place, where you can stop and relax in the fresh air on the way to Botanical Garden. The park was created in the English landscape style according to the design of the Dutch garden architect Hendrik Copain. It first opened to visitors in 1898.
There are many beautiful statues and monuments in the park (including a statue of Queen Wilhelmina, after whom the park got its name). In addition, you will see here a large number of bicycle paths, the Tea Room building, a beautiful rose garden, a large Central Pond and many wonderful trees and varied vegetation.
Address: Wilhelminapark, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Museum of the Monastery of St. Catherine. | Photo: wikimedia. This museum is located in the southern part of Utrecht - in the monastery of St. Catherine, and is dedicated to works of church art. The museum houses a huge collection of historical exhibits and works of art, from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Among them are ancient manuscripts, first printed books in precious bindings, icons, wooden sculptures, statues of saints, church utensils and rich vestments of clergy, altars, items made of gold and silver. Dutch painting of the Golden Age is represented by paintings by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Jan van Scorel.
Address: Museum Catharijneconvent, Lange Nieuwstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Fairytale castle, half surrounded by a moat and lake, is a real hidden gem among Utrecht's attractions. In addition to the castle, the estate ensemble includes a chapel and a large picturesque park. The structure was built in the neo-Gothic style - with several pointed turrets and battlements.
The church's stunning interior features exquisite wood carvings, as well as an art collection and tapestries. No less impressive than the castle are the beautiful gardens surrounding it, reminiscent in style of the parks of Versailles. It's easy to see why this place attracts so many tourists - the backdrop of Castle de Haar and the surrounding gardens makes for incredibly picturesque photos.
Address: Kasteel de Haar, Kasteellaan, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Church of St. Peter. | Photo: wikimedia. This Roman Catholic church is one of the oldest in the city. It was illuminated in the early 1000s. The building is located in the center of Utrecht, in close proximity to other famous attractions of the city. The church was built in the Romanesque style - with two towers, high arched stained glass windows and a nave at the rear of the structure.
The interior features beautiful columns made of red sandstone. There is a lot of light coming through the colorful curves, especially at the main altar. In the Church of St. Peter you can see the 13th-century crypt with the sarcophagus of Bishop Bernold.
Address: Pieterskerk, Pieterskerkhof, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Domplein Square. | Photo: wikimedia. Domplein is one of the central squares of Utrecht, included in all the popular tourist routes around town. The square is home to famous Utrecht landmarks such as the Dome Tower and St. Martin's Cathedral.
In addition, on the square itself and in the nearby alleys you will find many restaurants, cafes and bars. Thanks to its convenient location, Domplein is a great place to start an exciting tour of Utrecht.
Address: Domplein, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
The highlight of your stay in Utrecht will be the opportunity to stroll along the beautiful old Oudegracht canal. It goes through central part cities from southeast to north. In the southern part the canal follows a route that was once a section of the Rhine, while the northern part of Oudegracht includes segments of a canal that was built around 1000 AD. e. and connected the Rhine with the Vechte River.
In 1275, after the completion of the Utrecht lock network, numerous moorings, piers and warehouses began to appear on the banks of the canal. Today, many of these old buildings and premises have been converted into restaurants, cafes, galleries and boutiques.
Address: Oudegracht Canal, Oudegracht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
House Schroeder. | Photo: Frans de Wit / Flickr. This small but unique structure in the neo-plasticism style was ahead of its time. It was built in 1924 according to the design of the famous Utrecht architect Gerrit Rietveld. Later, he was quite surprised to learn that his creation was now recognized as an architectural monument and included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.
The house is reminiscent of the abstract matrices of artist Piet Mondrian. The two-story building has no interior walls, food is served in an elevator, furniture can be folded compactly, and all doors open using levers and buttons.
Address: Rietveld Schröderhuis, Prins Hendriklaan, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Residence of the Pope. | Photo: wikimedia. Typically, only participants of conferences and special events held here are allowed to enter this building. However, admire appearance this magnificent 500-year-old mansion is off-limits to anyone.
The building was originally built as a home for Utrecht native Adrian Buijens, who was elected Pope in 1522. Adrian VI became the first and only Dutchman to ascend the papal throne.
Address: Paushuize, Kromme Nieuwegracht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
This is the main building of Utrecht University, located on the corner of the Domplein. Behind a neo-Renaissance façade dating from 1892 are the older ceremonial buildings of Utrecht University.
The oldest room is the auditorium in the former chapter house from 1462. It was here that the Utrecht Agreement was signed in 1579, which, in fact, laid the foundation for the formation of a new legal state - the Republic of the United Provinces of the Netherlands.
Address: Academiegebouw Universiteit Utrecht, Domplein, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Utrecht is one of the oldest and at the same time youngest cities in the Netherlands. Old because it was founded by the Romans back in the 1st century. n. e. Young, because more than a quarter of the city’s population are students. That is why concerts and festivals are constantly held here, and musicians play on every corner during the warm season.
Utrecht is located in the central part of the Netherlands and is administrative center province of the same name, where 312.6 thousand people live on an area of 100 km2. From Amsterdam, the capital of the country, Utrecht is located 53 km to the southeast.
The Oude Rijn flows through Utrecht, one of the branches of the Rhine, the course of which passed through the city a thousand years ago. The part of the Oude Rijn that flows through Utrecht is called the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal. This is the central canal of the city, connecting Amsterdam with the main shipping route of the Rhine, and also serving as a link between the capital of the Netherlands and the German Ruhrstadt.
A little further north, the Vecht River flows through the city. Accordingly, the channel through which it flows is called Vechtdijk. One of the branches of the Oude Rijn is the 13 km long Leidse Rijn canal, which flows out of the city on the western side.
In the north of Utrecht there is the most large lake city - Haarrijnseplas, whose area is 90 hectares. The Maarssenseweg highway crosses the pond in the center. In the south of Utrecht is the lake Nedereindse Plas.
Compared to Amsterdam, Utrecht has few canals. However, they have their own twist: many of them are two-tiered. That is, the river in these areas is, as it were, deepened into the ground. Below, almost at the very edge of the water, there are various cafes and tables for relaxation. On the second tier is the city itself, with its houses and attractions. This non-standard solution helped protect the city from many floods.
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Utrecht was founded by the Romans in the 1st century. AD on the site of the settlement of the Batavians, an ancient Germanic tribe. Having occupied the territory, the soldiers erected a fortress on the banks of the Rhine River, which housed a garrison of five hundred troops. The fort had an important defensive significance: the northern border of the Roman Empire passed here. Since then, the riverbed has shifted, and in the place where the fortress used to be located, there is the Domplein square and the main cathedral of the city (Dom van Utrecht).
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At the same time, the name of the settlement appeared. Presumably, the name "Utrecht" comes from the Latin "Traiectum", which means "crossing". Over time, the word was shortened to Trecht, and then acquired the letter “u” at the beginning. There are other interpretations of the name of the city. Some linguists claim that the word "Utrecht" comes from the Old Dutch UUT, meaning "downstream".
In the II century. Germanic tribes began to aggressively make their presence known, forcing the Romans to abandon the fortress in 270. After this, the fort changed hands several times until it was completely destroyed. In the VI-VIII centuries. Utrecht was one of the main settlements of the Frisian Kingdom (Magna Frisia), and at the end of the 7th century. The bishop's residence was established here. Due to its favorable location, Utrecht has always had an important commercial importance, and in 1122 it officially became a city.
Utrecht was an important Catholic center from 650 to 1528. The importance of the settlement as a Christian center of northern Europe is illustrated by the fact that local native Adrian VI became Pope in 1522. True, he did not rule for long, and died a year and a half after his election.
IN early XVI V. The bishop lost his temporal power over Utrecht, and it passed to Charles V, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the center of which was located in Germany. In 1579, the northern provinces of the Netherlands concluded an alliance against the Spaniards in Utrecht, which marked the beginning of the unification of the Dutch regions into one republic (Union of Utrecht).
From then until early XIX V. There were many clashes between different political forces in the city. In 1723, the city became the center of Old Catholicism, which is a cross between Catholicism and Protestantism. In the 19th century Utrecht ceased to be on the border of military clashes, and began to develop quietly. Currently, it is a major industrial, railway, scientific and cultural center of the Netherlands.
- What is a must see in Utrecht in one day?
Attractions
Utrecht is very beautiful city. There are many in the historical center architectural monuments, and the two-tiered canals, which are absent even in Amsterdam, add a special zest.
Many facades, alleys and bridges are decorated with light illumination, so in the evening you can watch real light shows.
The main attraction of the city is the Utrecht Cathedral and its Domtoren bell tower, rightfully considered the symbol of the city.
Also interesting is “Paus huis” - the residence of Adrian VI, built by order of the Pope in the 16th century. The museums of Utrecht are also interesting. To the south of the Cathedral Square (Domplein), there is a museum quarter, where there are many interesting exhibitions. Among the exhibitions are the Jukebox Museum, located in the oldest church in the city, the Sonnenborg Observatory, and the Central Museum.
- For more comfortable sightseeing, I recommend planning an overnight stay in.
Utrecht Cathedral
Dome Cathedral of St. Martin (Dom van Utrecht) was built in 695 by order of the first bishop of Utrecht. The temple stood for two centuries and was destroyed during one of the Viking raids. In X century The church was restored, after which it became the main temple of the city. After that, it burned more than once, was destroyed, but was always restored.
The current building began to be erected in the 13th century. after a fire destroyed most of Utrecht. Construction dragged on and ended only at the beginning of the 16th century. That's why it turned out that Catholics began to build the cathedral, Protestants finished it. True, after some time, Catholic priests were allowed to conduct secret services in some chapels of the cathedral.
As a result, after some time in the chapel of St. Gertrude (Gertrudiskapel) organized the see of the Old Catholic bishopric. In 1634, a Latin school was founded on the territory of the cathedral, which two years later became one of the first universities in the Netherlands, which still occupies part of the temple.
In 1674, a tornado swept through Utrecht, which severely damaged the temple building. Because of this, the main church building and its brick bell tower (Domtoren) were separated. Restoration began only in the 19th century, while work on the tower began later - at the beginning of the 20th century.
After restoration, the bell tower turned out to be 3 m higher: now its height is 112 m - and this is the most high building a city above which it is impossible to build.
The bell tower is accessible to visitors; to get there, you need to climb 465 steps, entrance is paid.
At the moment, the Dome Cathedral of St. Martina is a functioning church where services are held regularly. Every Saturday from 15.30 to 16.30 you can listen to organ music here; the Summer Darkness alternative music festival and periodic exhibitions are also held within the walls of the church.
- Address: Dom van Utrecht is located on main square city of Domplein, but official address: Achter de Dom,1;
- Temple website: www.domkerk;
- Bell tower website: www.domtoren;
- The cathedral is open: in winter from 11:00 to 16:00, in summer time from 10:00 to 17:00; Sunday from 12:30 to 16:00;
- The best time to visit the bell tower: Friday from 12:30 to 13:30; Saturday from 11:00 to 12:00 – a carillon of 50 bells sounds;
- Visit to the cathedral: free;
- Cost of a tour of the cathedral: adults – 3.5 €, children – from 1 to 1.5 €.
Papal House
The residence of the Pope (Paushuize) was built by order of Adrian VI. He began building the house in 1517 while serving at the court of the King of Spain, as he subsequently intended to return to Utrecht. But it happened differently: in 1522 he was elected Pope, and a year later Adrian VI died in Rome. He never visited his home in Utrecht.
For a long time the house was in private hands, having also been a hotel where Hortense, the wife of Louis Bonaparte, King of the Kingdom of Holland, stayed. After that, with her permission, the hotel began to be called the “Hotel of the Queen of Holland.” In 1804, her husband bought the building and lived here for some time while his residence (Paleis van Lodewijk Napoleon) was being built in Ultrech.
Now the halls of the house are used for receptions of commissioners of the king and the provincial government, host conferences, special events, weddings and dinners for large groups. Here, several years ago, one of the king’s cousins celebrated the wedding. In 1985, Pope John Paul II visited here.
The Papal House can be visited when there is a cultural event taking place (for example, the Early Music Festival). In addition, every last Sunday of the month they organize an “open day” from 11 to 12 am. Admission is free and no pre-registration is required.
- Address: Kromme Nieuwegracht, 49;
- Official website: paushuize.nl.
Jukebox Museum
The National Jukebox Museum (Museum Speelklok) is located in the premises of the oldest church in Utrecht, Buurkerk, which was built in 1279. Due to a decrease in the number of parishioners, the church was decommissioned in 1975, restored, and then in 1985 within its walls placed a museum. At the same time, the restorers put in order the bell tower of the temple, and in certain time day you can hear their special chime.
The museum of jukeboxes itself appeared thirty years earlier, in 1956. Among its exhibits are boxes, watches, barrel organs, a hare playing a violin, and even a musical instrument in the form of a cannon. Many devices are still working today, and the playing of some devices can be heard while viewing the exhibition.
For the 50th anniversary of the museum, an exhibition was opened in Buurkerk, the exhibits of which were musical devices brought from the Hermitage, the Louvre, the Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum and other famous exhibition centers.
- Address: Steenweg, 6;
- Website: www.museumspeelklok;
- Ticket price: for adults – 12 €, for children from 4 to 12 years – 6.5 €. A family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children costs €33.
Central Museum
The Central Museum of Utrecht is the oldest municipal museum in the Netherlands. There is an art gallery, a collection of historical costumes, jewelry, medieval sculptures, and an archiepiscopal and archaeological museum. There are exhibitions telling about the history of the city, ancient and modern art. Among the paintings are works by the Italian artist Caravaggio.
The museum was founded in 1838 - and was a small collection of paintings housed in four rooms on the top floor of the city hall (Stadhuis van Utrecht). In 1891 the collection moved to a more spacious Vacation home Hoogeland. In 1921, several more exhibitions were added to this museum, after which the exhibits were moved to the walls of the former monastery of St. Agnes (Agnietenklooster). Thus, the collection included architectural models of Utrecht houses, archaeological finds, ancient furniture, items from the bishop's museum and other interesting exhibits.
- Address: Agnietenstraat, 1;
- Website: centraalmuseum.nl;
- Opening hours: from 11 to 17, closed on Monday;
- Entrance ticket: for adults – 9 €, for children – 4 €.
Observatory
The public observatory and the Sonnenborgh Museum and Observatory are housed within the walls of the bastion, which Charles V ordered to be built in the mid-16th century.
The observatory within the walls of the fort was founded in 1853 on the initiative of Utrecht University, and since then it has not left the bastion. In addition to the planetarium, within the walls of the fortress there is a museum of the history of the bastion:
- Address: Sonnenburg, 2;
- Website: www.sonnenborgh;
- Opening hours: Tuesday / Friday from 11:00 to 17:00, Sunday: from 13:00 to 17:00. From October to April, the observatory entrance is open on Friday from 20.00 to 21:30, on Saturday: 19:30 to 21:00
Ticket price: for adults – 7 €, for children from 4 to 17 years old, students – 4.5 €, under 4 years old – free. Evening viewing after 19.30 – 11.5 €
How to get there
You can get to Utrecht from Amsterdam by train, bus, or car. Depending on the chosen transport, the journey will take from half an hour to an hour.
By train
Intercity trains depart from Station Amsterdam-Zuid every half hour. The first train leaves at 7.26, the last one leaves at one in the morning. The journey takes 23 minutes.
WITH central station Amsterdam, Amsterdam Centraal, Intercity trains run every 15 minutes during the day, but travel a little longer - 27 minutes. At night the train leaves once an hour. A ticket in first class costs 12.5 €, a trip in second class will cost less – 7.5 €. More detailed information here.
Utrecht is located in the center of the Netherlands and is much more ancient city than all the cities of the coast and Amsterdam. Utrecht traces its history back to an ancient Roman settlement; even the name of the city comes from the Latin word Traectum (from Latin trajectus - crossing). Utrecht was formed at the crossing of the Rhine. All that remains from Roman times in Utrecht are the foundations in the basements of some buildings in the center. Most tourists come to Utrecht to see the unique two-tier embankments and the tallest tower in the country, Utrecht Cathedral.
In addition, the city attracts the attention of people interested in design and architecture. It was in Utrecht that the most famous artist in the Netherlands, illustrator Dick Bruna, and architect Gerrit Rietveld, the same one who built the miracle of functionalism - the Schroeder House in 1924, worked ahead of its era by about 50 years. You can see the fruits of the creativity of the geniuses of the 20th century in the Central Museum of Utrecht.
Garbage fish decorate almost the center of Utrecht
Amsterdam is separated from Utrecht by only 40 km along an excellent road.
The nearest airport is Schipol - 50 km, Rotterdam The Hague Airport - 60 km, Eidenhoven Airport - 93 km.
The Netherlands is well developed railway connection and Uchtrecht is the country's largest railway hub. It can be reached by train from almost any city in the Netherlands and even neighboring countries.
The cost of train travel from Amsterdam Central Station is 8€, directly from Schipol Airport – 9.2€.
The most convenient way to choose your tickets is on the website, which will immediately show the train and bus schedules and ticket prices in Russian. Due to the short distance from Amsterdam, it does not matter whether you travel by train or bus. Both of these modes of transport will take you to Utrecht Central Station.
Utrecht Central Station is within walking distance of the city center.
Parking in Utrecht
Utrecht is the city where street parking is more expensive than in garages and you still have to search hard for it on the streets. Everything is very tightly packed.
If you come to the city only to see the center, then 3 hours will be enough. Therefore, you can afford to park in a garage in the city center. The highest parking density is railway station and the adjacent large shopping center Hoog Catharijne, there are as many as 6 of them. P1-P4 - cost 3.50 € per hour, maximum 30 € per day, P5-P6 - cost 4.50 € per hour and 36 € per day. The distance between them is negligible.
If you come by car for several days, then a convenient solution would be P+R parking lots; there are 4 of them in Utrecht. All day parking and a day ticket for public transport is only 5€ for a maximum of 5 people. If you go back not on the first day, then you need to buy regular tickets for public transport and each subsequent day of parking will cost 5 €.
P+R Utrecht Westraven (ten zuiden van A12)
P+R Utrecht Papendorp (bij A2 en A12)
P+R Utrecht Muziektheater NIET MEER IN GEBRUIK
P+R Utrecht de Uithof (ten zuiden van A28)
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Excursions to Utrecht from Amsterdam
From Amsterdam to Utrecht and Castle de Haar, Russian-language excursions are conducted on Saturdays by TezTour. If it is not possible to recruit a group, then the excursion is carried out individually at a group price. Saturday is market day, it will be fun.
In Utrecht itself, individual Russian-language excursions can be booked. If there are more than two of you, it is more profitable to take individual tour, travel from Amsterdam to Utrecht is not at all difficult.
Sights of Utrecht
If you arrived in Utrecht by train or parked in one of the parking lots shopping center Hoog Catharijne The first thing you will see in Utrecht will be Vredenburg Square. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays there is a market on the square.
An unfavorable day to visit Utrecht is Monday, many museums are closed.
First I'll talk about free attractions, then I'll move on to museums. Tickets to museums are, as always, not budget-friendly, this is always the case in the Netherlands. Therefore, you will have to choose what to visit and what to leave for next time. Check the current prices for tickets to local museums on the website, I will insert the prices in the article, but they may be out of date.
The city center is very compact, you can get around everything on foot. Castle de Haar is located outside the city (12 km), i.e. You need to go to it on a separate flight.
Two-tier embankments of the Oudegracht canal (Oudegracht)
The very first and main attraction of Utrecht is the Oudegracht canal or simply the old canal. The canal stretches for 2 km and passes through the entire Old city Utrecht. Oudegracht became famous for its two-story embankments. In light of the terrain and local soils, the Rhine River has changed its course several times over the past 10 centuries. It is possible that part of the Oudegracht coincides with the old bed of the Rhine, another part used to be the moat of a local castle. The earth formed during the digging of the rest of the canal was simply dumped onto the bank, and it naturally became higher. Back in the 12th century, a dam with locks was built upstream and the water level in the Utrecht canal dropped significantly and became manageable.
There's the city hall in the distance with its columns
As a result, merchant houses that previously stood on the banks of the river found themselves much further from the water and higher, and it became more difficult to carry goods from boats on the river to warehouses in houses. Therefore, it was decided to dig underground passages from the piers directly to the basements of houses where goods were stored. Initially, there were no embankments on the shore, there were berths, but gradually everything became so dense that the berths turned into one continuous line. In the fifteenth century, a two-kilometer-long harbor with a two-tiered promenade was created, which over the following centuries was the lifeblood of the city of Utrecht.
IN late XIX centuries, the piers and cellars lost their commercial importance, and a period of decline began. In 1948, the municipality of Utrecht acquired ownership of the quays and quay walls, after which the process of their restoration and standardization began.
Since the 1960s, several dock cellars have been used as entertainment venues for young people, such as discos. Then restaurateurs paid attention to the former dock cellars. Nowadays, almost along the entire length of the canal, on the first tiers of the embankments there are cafes, bars, and restaurants. Food and drinks for these establishments are delivered on a special beer barge, which is more convenient. Almost all of Utrecht's most important sights are located along the Old Canal.
Early 20th century building, the first department store in the Netherlands Winkel van Sinkel Girl on a carousel horse. Pieter d'Hont. 1986
Dome Cathedral in Utrecht
Until 1898, when St. Bavo's Cathedral was opened in Haarlem, Utrecht Dom Cathedral was the only cathedral church in the Netherlands. The cathedral has the tallest tower in the country - 112.32 m, and it was the longest cathedral before the collapse of the main nave; now the longest church is in the city of Gouda.
Domplein - square in front of the Dome Cathedral St. Martin's Cathedral or Dome Cathedral stands exactly on the site of an ancient Roman fortress. The city of Utrecht began from this place. Numerous excavations were carried out around the square, confirming the coexistence of the fortress and early Christian churches. Three times a day (except Mondays) they conduct special excursions through the dungeons of the church, where they show and talk about all the artifacts found; tickets (12.50 €) for this event must be purchased in advance on the DOMunder website. The tour is conducted in English and Dutch.
Wikipedia tells a rather murky story about the numerous churches that previously stood on the site of the current Dome Cathedral; it tells that the present building of the Dome Cathedral was built from 1284 to 1520 (236 years). By 1520, builders' enthusiasm had waned as Reformation ideas spread. The cathedral was never completed; the vaults over the central nave were not completed; instead, a wooden roof was made. On March 3, 1580, the Calvinists invaded the Catholic church at that time and staged a pogrom, traces of which can be observed to this day; in particular, they knocked off the faces of all the sculptures and bas-reliefs.
Main altar A very ancient cross. Burial with knocked down bas-reliefs and contemporary art from above. Exhibition of contemporary art.
On August 1, 1674, a tornado swept over Utrecht, collapsing the main nave of the cathedral and many more houses and churches in the city and surrounding area. It's interesting that local population decided that this was God's punishment for holding Catholic services in the cathedral during the French occupation of 1672-1673. The final clearing of the wreckage took place only in 1826, i.e. after 152 years. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the cathedral underwent numerous restorations. There have been proposals to even complete the nave that collapsed in the 17th century and give the cathedral completeness, but so far this project has not received mass support.
The Dome Cathedral can be visited for a donation, it looks quite modest from the inside, like many other Protestant churches. The cathedral tower does not belong to the church. Climbing the tower is paid, only with an excursion, conducted 8 times a day, you will have to go up on foot, the event is not recommended for children under 8 years old. Tickets can be purchased at the office tourist information Utrecht, located next door or on the official website of the tower. The cost of the pleasure is 10€.
Adjacent to the cathedral building is the cloister of the former monastery - Pandhof van de Dom. What kind of monastery it was and what its history is, I still don’t understand. Now the cloister and nearby buildings belong to Utrecht University. The place is very cozy, cute and extremely photogenic.
Bronze statue(1913) by 14th-century canon Hugo Westink I'm in the monastery courtyard of the Dome Cathedral
Rune stone in Utrecht
In 1936, on the Domplein (the square in front of the Dome Cathedral), on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of Utrecht University, a copy of the famous rune stone from the Danish city of Jelling was installed. The original was installed by Harald I Bluetooth in the 10th century. On the stone it is written:
King Harald erected this stone in honor of Gorm his father and Tyra his mother. Harald, who conquered all of Denmark and Norway, who baptized the Danes.
The main significance is the reference to the baptism of the Danes. In general, the Dutch, Danes and Germans are very close peoples to each other; their self-names are dansk (Danish), dutch (Dutch), deutsch (German).
Replica of the runestone from Jelling Harold Bluetooth, Utrecht, 1936 Papal House (Paushuize)
Paushuize second oldest Historical building Utrecht. It was built by the only Dutch Pope, Adrian VI.
Or rather, Pope Adrian VI built the house before he became Pope. He hoped to return to Utrecht someday. In 1522 he was elected Pope and died a year later in Rome, so he never got to live in his home in Utrecht. Paushuize is famous for its magnificent interior. In the 19th century, the building became the residence of the royal commissioner. Today, part of the building can be rented for events; without events, it can only be viewed from the outside.
House of the Pope Letters from Utrecht
Letters from Utrecht form an endless poem on the pavement in the city center. Every Saturday at 13:00 they carve the next letter on the next cobblestone, intending to continue until the Saturdays stop. The average proposal takes about three years to publish. Every year the poem increases by about five meters. Every few years, the next poet continues the poem. The poem began to be published on the pavement on May 30 and 31, 2012; for the first time, 648 letters were written at once to make the beginning clear. This is a unique manifestation of modern art.
Museum of Jukeboxes or Boxes (Museum Speelklok)
The Music Box Museum is unexpectedly considered the most visited and most popular museum in the city. Children will definitely like it there; there is a special room where you can touch and twirl everything. The Museum displays numerous music boxes and street organs. The reproduction technology is reminiscent of the punched tapes and punched cards that were used just recently. Below I will insert a promotional video for the museum. Combined tickets for the Dome Cathedral Tower + Museum of Caskets = 18€ are available at the museum box office, saving 5€. The museum is located 200 meters from Dome Square.
From Dom Square to the Central Museum of Utrecht it is only 900 meters; it is most convenient to walk along the Oudegracht canal and only at the very end of the road turn left onto Nikolaasstraat.
Central Museum Utrecht
The city museum is rightly proud of the collection of paintings by artists of the Golden Age, presented by the school of Utrecht Caravaggists. At the beginning of the 17th century, a group of Utrecht artists went to, horror of horrors, Catholic Rome. By that time, about a third of the Catholic residents remained in Utrecht, but they were strictly prohibited from holding church services. And there the Dutch artists absorbed Italian colors, sun, air, and became acquainted with the works of Caravaggio and Michelangelo. The paintings of Dirk van Baburen, Hendrik Terbruggen, Willem van Honthorst are strikingly different from the strict paintings of the followers of Calvinism; they radiate light and joy. Below is a promotional video of the museum - a two-minute overview of the exhibition.
A special part of the Central Museum is the studio of Dick Brun (1927-2017), one of the most famous illustrators and graphic designers in the Netherlands. Dick Bruna invented many hand-drawn characters for children's books, the most famous among them being the rabbit Miffy (Nijntje), a favorite of Dutch children. Across the street from the Central Museum is the Miffy Bunny Children's Museum, but it's more like a big playroom with a Dick Brun theme.
The Utrecht City Museum displays the richest collection of conceptual furniture from the Dutch architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld (1888 -1964), who built the famous Schröder house.
The Utrecht Central Museum is 1.8 km from the Schröder House. At the time of construction, the Schroeder house was located on the very outskirts of the city. On the one hand, it’s a bit far, but on the other hand, not everyone will want to look at the Schroeder house. If you don’t take a tour of the house, then it’s not worth walking there at all; the photo fully reflects everything that can be seen there.
House Schroeder
The Rietveld Schröder House is an architectural highlight of the De Stijl artistic movement. The house was designed by Utrecht architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld for the widow of Truus Schröder in 1924. The house was not only designed, but also decorated by Gerrit Rietveld. For 1924 this was a revelation. Looking at this house you think that it was built yesterday, it’s not for nothing that it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Inside, everything is just as functional and unusual for the beginning of the 20th century - sliding partitions, multi-colored functional furniture.
House Schröder, 1924 The Schroeder House can only be visited with a guided tour by appointment through the official website; the cost of visiting, as elsewhere in the Netherlands, is not small - 17 €. No more than 10 people are allowed in at a time; the house is small, after all, it was built for a single widow with three children. Tours are in English and Dutch only.
Castle de Haar in Utrecht
Castle de Haar was essentially rebuilt in the 19th century according to all the rules and with all possible amenities available at that time on the site of an ancient, but completely destroyed medieval castle. The building became famous for its belonging to Baroness Rothschild, for its neo-Gothic style architecture and design. Castle de Haar is the largest castle in the Netherlands. Below I will insert a promotional video of the castle, the design is truly impressive, a very beautiful video.
Castle de Haar is located in the suburbs of Utrecht, 12 km from the Dome Cathedral, so you definitely can’t reach it on foot; you’ll need transport. From Utrecht Central Station you can take bus number 9 to the castle. The cost of visiting, alas, is high as always - 17 € castle with park, 6 € parking, only the park - 6 €. Check the opening hours and cost of visiting on the official website of Castle de Haar, and also check the possibility of traveling by public transport, there are different options.
Utrecht became the second continental city of the Netherlands that I saw, after. And yes, the cities that are located inland differ from the coastal ones in their softer attitude towards religion and their Roman past. The Netherlands, even with its tiny size, is a rather heterogeneous country. The southern continental part is more like Belgium.
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Utrecht is a city in the central part of the Netherlands, famous for its beautiful canals and interesting attractions. The main railway junction of the country.
How to get from Amsterdam to Utrecht
Utrecht is located just 40 kilometers from Amsterdam, so getting there will not be difficult for you. The most convenient way is to take the direct train, which runs every 15 minutes from the main station Amsterdam Centraal. Usually these are trains heading to Nijmegen or Maastricht. Travel time will be no more than half an hour. The cost of a second class ticket is 7.40 euros, first class is 12.60 euros.
If you travel by car, you will have to cover a distance of 48 kilometers, so the journey will take no more than an hour, taking into account possible traffic jams or short stops in the towns you meet. For example, many tourists stop for a short walk through the village of Maarssen, which is famous for its variety of unique churches.
To get from Amsterdam to Utrecht by bus or tram, you will need to make several changes and the journey will take about 2 hours in total. Sometimes, in case of any road problems or repair work on the railway, travelers are provided with a direct bus. Utrecht bus station is located just behind the train station.
Due to the fact that the country has expensive car parking and super-fast trains, most people choose the second mode of transport. We would like to note that railroad station Utrecht is the largest and also the most important in the country. Accordingly, you always have the opportunity to travel from Utrecht to almost any city in the Netherlands.
When is the best time to visit Utrecht?
Utrecht has the usual climate for the country - frequent rains, fog and average temperature year about 10 degrees. During the summer months the thermometer reads around 20 or slightly above. Local residents have long been accustomed to such a climate, however, the weather in any month is unpredictable, and we advise you to definitely take waterproof things with you on the road, despite weather forecasters’ predictions.
A visit to Utrecht is a real holiday, regardless of the time of year. The city is active cultural life, perhaps only behind Amsterdam. Utrecht often hosts various events, music programs and themed performances. For example, the Lentebock festival has been held in April for several years now, where visitors taste beers and also enjoy a specially prepared musical program. Well, for those who travel to the Netherlands to enjoy all kinds of flower plantings, we recommend coming to Utrecht in spring or summer, when the city canal areas bloom especially beautifully.
Where to stay
There is a large selection of accommodation in Utrecht, varying in size, cost and location. The city itself is small, so there will be no difficulties in getting to this or that place.
In a stunning location on the outskirts of the city, the four-star Hotel Mitland (Arienslaan 1, 3573 PT) is considered by visitors to be one of the most beautiful in Utrecht. Mitland offers accommodation in one of its 140 luxurious rooms overlooking the Voorveldse Polder park. The hotel provides a unique range of services for the wellness and entertainment of vacationers: there is a sauna, swimming pool, solarium, small gym, bowling alley and even Turkish baths. In addition, all rooms are equipped with all necessary amenities such as refrigerator, air conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, private bathroom and balcony. You can also enjoy a fine dinner at the hotel restaurant on the terrace by the waters of Fort de Bilt. Depending on the type of room and hotel discounts, the cost of daily accommodation varies from 100 to 170 euros; some room rates include breakfast.
In the city center, in an unusual old building, there is a hotel of the NH chain (Janskerkhof 10, 3512 BL), whose rooms overlook the famous Dome Cathedral of St. Martin. The hotel has 47 rooms that are equipped with all necessary services, including free Wi-Fi, minibar, TV and private bathroom. Tourists also note the friendly staff of the establishment. The NH Center Utrecht has two cozy restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat in the evening. The cost of a standard double room will be from 110 euros, a triple room from 130, the price for accommodation in a junior suite - from 140 euros. The price also includes breakfast.
Most popular among budget options considers Hotel Oorsprongpark (Mauritiuslaan 1, 3526 LD). It has 2 stars and is located a stone's throw from the center. All 34 rooms are equipped with a bathroom, TV and Wi-Fi. Daily accommodation in single room will cost from 50 euros, double from 60 euros. For an additional cost you can order breakfast at the hotel.
Transport system
As we mentioned earlier, Utrecht is a small city, so we recommend that you explore the garden on foot. To visit nearby villages, use the easiest way to get around - a bicycle, that's what everyone does local residents. You can always rent a bike, for example, at the main station of the city, paying about 8 euros per day. The city has several cycling routes that locals use every day.
You also have the opportunity to take a boat ride along the famous Utrecht canals, the cost of such a trip will be about 10 euros. Well, if you are interested in other Dutch cities, then it is definitely better to use the train. Let us remind you that Utrecht is the main railway junction of the country, and all trains must stop in this city. The cost of tickets, platform number and all stops will be provided to you by the Dutch railways website www.ns.nl.
As for the urban public transport, then any route is available thanks to the website www.9292.nl, which will tell you where to get there, and also show the time of departure and arrival. Ticket price for any bus route within one city in the Netherlands is 3.50 euros. Bus stop and a tram stop are located near Utrecht's main station. If you are going to travel a lot by public transport, we recommend purchasing an OV-chipkaart - a special card that the Dutch use on buses, trams, subways and trains. It costs 7 euros, but each time on the road you will pay strictly for the mileage traveled and usually this amount is much less than the standard 3.50. You can purchase an OV card at any train station in the Netherlands.
Most tourists prefer to travel around the city by bus, and the number of tram passengers is decreasing every year. But despite this, the municipality continues to improve tram tracks. If you are going to use the Dutch city tram, of which there are about 25 in Utrecht, you can use the map: www.urbanrail.net/eu/nl/utr/utrecht.htm, which shows the main stops. Most often, this type of transport in the city is used by local residents to get to the IKEA store.
Utrecht is far from the only city in the Netherlands that is interesting for tourists; it is also worth a visit
The Dutch respect and carefully preserve their culture, history, architecture and traditions. And the city of Utrecht in the heart of the Netherlands is clear proof of this. Over its history, it has been part of different tribes, empires and kingdoms. Was pagan, Catholic, Protestant. Therefore, its historical and cultural heritage– rich and varied.
The program for exploring Utrecht can be divided into 2 parts – educational and walking and entertaining. The first includes ancient cathedrals, temples and castles. It is here that the tallest church and the largest castle in the country are located. The Utrecht museums are of interest - the Railway Museum, the Jukebox Museum, and the Schroeder House. The main components of the second part of the program are luxurious parks and gardens, picturesque canals and embankments, cozy pubs and restaurants.
The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles/day
What to see and where to go in Utrecht?
The most interesting and Beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.
1. Canals of Utrecht
Numerous water canals with piers are one of the main attractions of the city. You can go on an exciting excursion on a catamaran, boat or canoe. Oudegracht is the main canal, built in the 12th century and penetrating historical Center Utrecht. It is two-tiered. An additional floor between the water level and the main street used to be used for unloading goods; there were warehouses here. Today the ground floor is occupied by restaurants and cafes.
2. Utrecht Cathedral with tower
Medieval Gothic temple with the tallest bell tower in the Netherlands. Its height is 112 meters. TO observation deck 465 steps lead up. The main building of the cathedral is separated from the tower. This is explained by the fact that part of the structure was destroyed in 1674 by a strong hurricane and was not restored. Today services are held in the cathedral, organ concerts, choral singing. In the courtyard there is the Bishops' Garden and a covered arcade with large stained glass windows.
3. Flower market
The Dutch are very particular about growing flowers, especially tulips, and caring for them. There are flower markets everywhere major cities. In Utrecht it is located on Janskerhof square and is open on Saturdays. The selection of flowers, houseplants, trees, herbs and seeds here is incredible. And the prices are quite reasonable - a bouquet of 50 luxurious freshly cut tulips will cost only 5-7 euros. There are many bars and cafes in the area where you can grab a bite to eat.
4. Railway Museum
Utrecht serves as the main transport hub of the Netherlands. Therefore, it is not surprising that the railway museum was opened here. It was located in the station building, which was closed back in 1921. It is a large exhibition hall with station models, a collection of carriages and locomotives from different times. Children will be interested in the mini-train, interactive zone, and showrooms. A café and a theme store are open to visitors. A train runs from the central city station to the museum.
5. Jukebox Museum
The unusual museum has been welcoming visitors since 1956. It is located in the oldest church in the city, built in 1279. His collection includes a variety of devices with mechanical music, from the 18th century to the present day. These include music boxes, toys, watches and mechanical organs, pianolas, barrel organs and other mechanisms. Most of the exhibits are functional. You can even start some of them yourself, but only in the presence of a guide.
6. Utrecht Central Museum
Huge museum complex housed in the building of the former monastery of St. Agnes. One of the oldest in the Netherlands, founded in 1838. Includes an art gallery with masterpieces of Dutch artists, a collection of medieval sculptures, jewelry, historical costumes, furniture, an archaeological exhibition, an archiepiscopal museum with religious exhibits, an exhibition on the city and its inhabitants . There is a children's room with play workshops.
7. DOMunder
You can get acquainted with the centuries-old history of Utrecht and see unique archaeological finds from a depth of 4.7 meters under Dome Square. This is where the original underground museum is located, created in 2014 using the most modern technologies. Visitors are given interactive lights that illuminate the exhibits, and an audio guide provides complete information about them. Entrance to the museum is only possible via one staircase.
8. Museum of Religious Art
It is located in the building of a Catholic convent built in the 12th century. Open to visitors since 1978. Contains the country's largest collection of Christian art from early Middle Ages until our time. Among the exhibits are church clothes, paintings by famous Dutch artists, ancient manuscripts, books, sculptures, unique artifacts made of gold and silver. Visitors are offered an audio tour of the museum's halls in several languages.
9. Miffy Museum
Utrecht is the birthplace of the artist Dick Brown, creator of Miffy the bunny. This cute hero of children's books and cartoons is known all over the world. One of the city museums is even dedicated to him. Here are toys, sculptures, books, postcards with your favorite hero. There are several colorful play areas with different themes, and across the road is a shop with Miffy souvenirs. The museum is designed for young and middle-aged children. A child ticket costs 3 times more than an adult ticket.
10. Beatrix Theater
Located in the city center, on Jarbeurs Square. Named after the reigning queen of the Netherlands. This is a musical theater where musicals are mainly staged. Was created in 1999. The opening was marked by the production of one of the most successful musicals - Chicago. Designed for 1500 spectators. The lobby houses an exhibition of paintings and sketches by contemporary artists and famous musicians. In front of the entrance there is a 5-meter sculptural composition called “Exposure”.
11. Botanical Garden
One of the most picturesque and quiet corners of Utrecht. Age – almost 400 years. Owned by local university. It occupies an area of 8 hectares. Contains greenhouses, a complex of swimming pools, and a system of gardens. There was a place for more than 10 thousand species of plants, many birds, reptiles and butterflies. There is a specialized store, a cafe, and benches for relaxation. The excursions are planned in such a way as to show visitors the plants that are in this moment at its peak.
12. "Wilhelminapark"
Historical park in the eastern part of the city. Opened to visitors in 1898. It was then that the young Queen Wilhelmina ascended the throne. The design of the park was created in the style of English landscape gardens. Today it is one of the most beautiful parks in the Netherlands, with a large pond and many old trees. There is a beach area, picnic areas, and the embankment along the reservoir is a suitable place for walking and playing sports.
13. Sonnenborg Observatory
It is located within the walls of an ancient building that was part of the city bastion in the 16th century. Founded in 1853 on the initiative of Utrecht University. The observatory is public, everyone can observe celestial bodies, but only from September to April. There are 4 telescopes, one of them is the oldest in Europe. The building also houses a museum of astronomy and meteorology, with a separate exhibition dedicated to the history of the bastion.
14. House Schroeder
Is under the protection of UNESCO. A unique building in the neo-plasticism style, erected almost 100 years ago. This is hard to believe, since its unusual design still causes admiration today. It was built according to Truss Schroeder's idea; she lived here until 1985. The building was then restored and turned into a museum. The house has two floors, there are no interior walls, all the furniture folds compactly, an elevator runs between floors to serve food, and the doors open using buttons and levers.
15. De Haar Castle
Located 20 km from Utrecht, in the village of Harzulens. A majestic castle with numerous towers, gates, bridges, ditches around the perimeter, landscape parks and gardens. One of the most beautiful in Europe. It was built in the 14th century, but acquired its current appearance after reconstruction in the 19th century. Until 2011 it belonged to the van Zuylen family. Inside the palace there are 200 living rooms with luxurious decor, a large collection of paintings, tapestries, porcelain and antique furniture.
