Cathedral of St Martin, Utrecht

The interior of the Cathedral is relatively plain. It contains a number of tombs, some of them badly damaged by the iconoclasts of the 16th century. In a crypt below the choir are preserved the internal organs of the Emperors Conrad II and Henry IV, who died in Utrecht and are buried in Speyer Cathedral in Germany. In the ambulatory are fragments of a Holy Sepulcher, a fine piece of sculpture by Gherit Splintersz (1501). The stained glass was designed by Roland Holst (1926 and 1936). The organ, in an organ-case by Bätz (19th C.), was built up using 16th-19th century pipes. The damage wrought by the 16th century iconoclasts is still very evident. The figures of the Apostles formerly on twelve columns are missing, and only one damaged relief remains in place. From 1580 until 1700, the church housed Utrecht University.

Since the destruction of the nave in 1674 the tower (Domtoren) has been completely detached from the Cathedral of St Martin. Built between 1320 and 1382, it stands 112m/367ft high. Between 1505 and 1509 13 bells, weighing altogether 31 tons, were cast by Gerrit van Wou of Kampen from the metal of the previous bells. A carillon of 35 bells was installed in 1664 by the Hemony brothers, who obtained some of the metal they required by melting down the six smallest bells in the tower. The carillon was increased to 50 bells in 1982, when the bells missing from the tower were also replaced.The tower, once the symbol of episcopal authority, is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, and was frequently imitated (Amerongen, Amersfoort, Groningen, Maastricht). From the platform, 100m/330ft above ground level (a strenuous climb: 465 steps), there are magnificent views (orientation table).In the tower are two chapels, St Michael's Chapel (the bishop's domestic chapel) and the Egmond Chapel (exhibition on the tower).

In the Domplein the outlines of the nave and other buildings associated with the Cathedral of St Martin are marked by black stones. A bronze plaque on the cathedral wall shows the position of the Roman castellum and the churches in the area. To the west of the cloister are a statue (1833) of Count John of Nassau, who played a major part in bringing about the Union of Utrecht (1579), and a reproduction of a Danish runic stone in Jutland (980).