Utrecht - Grachten
Old Utrecht is surrounded by the Singel, the old defensive moat, along which extend attractive promenades. On the west side it has been filled in to make way for a fast road. The central area is traversed by the Oude Gracht and the Nieuwe Gracht or Drift, the water level in which is so low that the vaults in the embankment walls are used as store rooms; some of them have been converted for use in summer as cafe-restaurants.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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In summer too there are attractive motor launch tours of the grachten. The Oude Gracht is part of the Kromme Rijn, which divides in the city center into the Oude or Leidse Rijn (to the west) and the Vecht (to the north).
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
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Buurkerk
The Buurkerk is the oldest parish church in Utrecht (12th C.). It was rebuilt in the 13th century, after a fire, as a cruciform basilica with a massive brick tower. Parts of this older building can still be seen in the present church, which has been twice rebuilt since then. The choir was pulled down in 1586; the site is now occupied by Choorstraat.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Churches of Grachten
There are five churches in old Utrecht, situated in the form of a cross, with the Cathedral in the center, the Boorkerk to the west, St Pieterskerk to the east, St Janskerk to the north and St Nicolaaskerk to the south.
Hortus Fort Hoofddijk
Hortus Fort Hoofddijk is one of the two Utrecht University gardens.
Hours
April 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
October 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Provinciehuis
At the corner of Achter St Pieter and the Kromme Nieuwe Gracht is the Provinciehuis, seat of the provincial government. Part of it occupies the Paushuize ("Pope's House"), built in 1517 for the then provost of St Salvator's, the future Pope Hadrian VI.
St Catharijnekerk
From the Catharijneconvent Museum a narrow street, Catharijnesteeg, leads west into Lange Nieuwstraat, with St Catharijnekerk (No. 36). The church was begun by the Carmelite order in 1468 and completed by the Knights of St John in 1550. It was a Protestant church from 1635 to 1815, when it was returned to the Catholics. In 1853 it became the cathedral of a Roman Catholic archbishop, and is thus the principal Catholic church in the Netherlands.
University
The administrative offices of the University (founded 1636) are in buildings which belonged to the chapter of the Cathedral. The chapterhouse itself, in which the Union of Utrecht was signed, is now the Aula (Great Hall) of the University. Part of the University is housed in 19th century buildings on the north side of Janskerkhof. The new University quarter, De Uithof, with the Botanic Garden and a hospital, lies to the east of the city.
