Utrecht facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Utrecht Ut(e)reg (Utrechts)
City and municipality
Dom Tower of the St. Martin's Cathedral Jaarbeursplein Uithof centre in Utrecht Science Park Spoorwegmuseum Neude Utrecht Centraal railway station
Flag Coat of arms Brandmark
Nickname(s):  Domstad (Cathedral City)
Location of Utrecht municipality
Utrecht Location in Netherlands Show map of Netherlands Utrecht Location in Europe Show map of Europe
Country	Netherlands
Province	Utrecht
Government
• Body	Municipal council
Area
• Municipality	99.21 km2 (38.31 sq mi)
• Land	94.33 km2 (36.42 sq mi)
• Water	4.88 km2 (1.88 sq mi)
• Randstad	3,043 km2 (1,175 sq mi)
Elevation	5 m (16 ft)
Population  (1 January 2025)
• Municipality	376,435
• Density	3,646/km2 (9,440/sq mi)
• Urban	489,734
• Metro	656,342
• Randstad	6,979,500
Demonym(s)	Utrechter(s)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode	3450–3585, 3500–3585
Area code	030

Utrecht is the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands and the capital of the province of Utrecht. It is located right in the center of the country, making it a very important city. With a population of over 376,000 people, Utrecht is a lively and growing city.

The city has a beautiful, ancient center with buildings that are hundreds of years old. Since the 8th century, it has been the religious heart of the Netherlands. Utrecht was the most important city in the country until the Dutch Golden Age, when Amsterdam became more famous.

Today, Utrecht is known for Utrecht University, the largest university in the Netherlands. Because of its central location, it has the busiest train station in the country, Utrecht Centraal. It also has more cultural events than any other Dutch city except Amsterdam.

History of Utrecht

Roman Times

A 1652 map of Utrecht by Willem Blaeu. It shows the city's canals and walls.

The city of Utrecht began around 50 CE when the Romans built a fort, or castellum, by the Rhine river. The fort was part of a defense line to protect the border of the empire. The name of the fort was Traiectum, which means "crossing place."

Later, the name became Trecht in Dutch. People added "Uut" (meaning "downriver") to tell it apart from another town called Maastricht. This is how the city got its name, Utrecht. Around 275 CE, the Romans left the area, and for a long time, not much is known about what happened there.

A Center for Christianity

The Dom Tower is the most famous landmark in Utrecht. The main part of the cathedral is no longer connected to it.

In the 7th century, missionaries came to teach people about Christianity. Utrecht became the center of the Catholic Church in the Netherlands. The bishops of Utrecht became very powerful rulers, known as prince-bishops. They ruled over a large area and were often in conflict with neighboring lords.

Many beautiful churches were built in Utrecht. The most famous is the Cathedral of Saint Martin, with its huge Dom Tower. In 1674, a powerful tornado hit the city and destroyed the middle part of the cathedral. That's why today, the tower stands separate from the rest of the church.

City Life and Canals

Because it was on the Rhine river, Utrecht became an important center for trade. In 1122, it was given city rights, which meant it could govern itself.

A special feature of Utrecht is its canals. The main canal, the Oudegracht (Old Canal), has a unique two-level design. Along the water, there are wharfs with cellars for storing goods. Above these cellars is the main street with houses and shops. This system created a special inner-city harbor.

Part of the Netherlands

A painting showing Utrecht surrendering to the French king Louis XIV in 1672.

A painting from 1625 showing Prince Maurice disbanding soldiers on Neude Square in Utrecht.

In 1579, Utrecht and other northern provinces signed the Union of Utrecht. This was an agreement to work together against Spanish rule and led to the creation of the Dutch Republic. However, Utrecht lost some of its importance as Amsterdam grew bigger.

In 1672, France invaded the Netherlands and briefly took control of the city. In 1713, an important peace treaty, the Treaty of Utrecht, was signed in the city, ending a major European war.

Modern Times

People in Utrecht celebrating their freedom after World War II on May 7, 1945.

Zadelstraat (Saddlers' Street) with the Dom Tower in the background.

In the 19th century, Utrecht began to grow again. In 1843, the first railway line connecting Utrecht to Amsterdam opened. Soon, the city became the main hub for the entire Dutch railway network.

During World War II, German forces occupied Utrecht. The city was freed on May 7, 1945. After the war, Utrecht grew rapidly, with many new neighborhoods being built. Today, it is a modern and dynamic city that still honors its long and rich history.

What Utrecht Looks Like

A wide view of Utrecht's skyline, showing the Dom Tower and the Buurkerk.

The Oudegracht, or 'Old Canal', is a famous feature of central Utrecht.

Utrecht's city center is famous for the Dom Tower, which is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. For a long time, no other building in the city center was allowed to be taller.

The city's old canals, especially the Oudegracht, are another major attraction. The wharfs and cellars along the canals are unique and create a beautiful, two-level waterside scene. The old city is surrounded by a moat, which was once part of its defenses.

Because Utrecht was a religious center for centuries, it has many historic churches. Besides the Dom Church, there are the beautiful St. Peter's and St. John's churches, and the Gothic churches of St. James and St. Nicholas.

Getting Around in Utrecht

Utrecht's central location makes it easy to travel to and from the city. It has an excellent public transport system.

Trains

The main hall of Utrecht Centraal station, which has a unique curved roof.

Utrecht Centraal is the largest and busiest railway station in the Netherlands. You can catch a train to almost any major city in the country, including a direct train to Schiphol Airport. There are also international trains to Germany.

Buses and Trams

Utrecht has a network of buses and a light rail system called the sneltram. The tram connects the central station with nearby suburbs and the university campus. The city's bus fleet is very modern and environmentally friendly, with many electric buses.

Cycling

A modern map of Utrecht, showing the new suburb of Leidsche Rijn on the left.

Like most Dutch cities, Utrecht is perfect for cycling. It has a huge network of bike paths, and more than half of all trips within the city are made by bicycle. Near the central station is the world's largest bicycle parking garage, which can hold 12,500 bikes.

Economy and Education

'De Inktpot' (The Inkwell) is the headquarters of ProRail, the company that manages Dutch railways. The UFO on the side was an art project.

Utrecht's economy is based on large companies and institutions. The headquarters of the Dutch national railway company, Nederlandse Spoorwegen, is here. Rabobank, a major bank, also has its main office in the city.

Utrecht is also a major center for education. It is home to Utrecht University, the largest university in the Netherlands. The city also has a university of applied sciences (Hogeschool Utrecht) and the Utrecht School of the Arts. This large student population makes Utrecht a very young and energetic city.

Culture and Fun Things to Do

Utrecht has a vibrant cultural scene with many theaters, cinemas, and museums. It is second only to Amsterdam for cultural events in the Netherlands.

Museums

A statue of Miffy, the famous character created by Utrecht artist Dick Bruna.

The Rietveld Schröder House is a famous example of modern architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Utrecht has many interesting museums. Some of the most popular ones are:

• Centraal Museum: This museum has a large collection of art and historical objects. It also has a special section dedicated to Dick Bruna, the creator of the famous cartoon rabbit Miffy.
• Railway Museum: A fun museum all about the history of trains in the Netherlands.
• Museum Speelklok: A unique museum filled with self-playing musical instruments, like music boxes and street organs.
• Museum Catharijneconvent: This museum tells the story of Christian art and culture in the Netherlands.

Music and Events

The city hosts many festivals throughout the year. The Early Music Festival and the Netherlands Film Festival are two of the biggest. Utrecht also has great music venues, like TivoliVredenburg, which hosts concerts of all kinds.

Sports

Utrecht is home to the professional football club FC Utrecht. The city also has large amateur sports clubs for field hockey, cricket, tennis, and more. In 2015, Utrecht hosted the start of the famous Tour de France bicycle race.

Notable People from Utrecht

The house where Pope Adrian VI was born.

Many famous people were born or lived in Utrecht. Here are a few:

• Pope Adrian VI (1459–1523) - The only Dutch pope in history.
• Dick Bruna (1927–2017) - The artist and writer who created Miffy.
• Gerrit Rietveld (1888–1964) - A famous architect and designer.
• Marco van Basten (born 1964) - A legendary football player.
• Dafne Schippers (born 1992) - A world champion sprinter.

Images for kids

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  A view of the Science Park campus of Utrecht University.

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  The Winkel van Sinkel was the first department store in the Netherlands.

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  Carved figures called Caryatids on the front of the Winkel van Sinkel building.

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  The Prince Claus Bridge crosses the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal.

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  A rowing team from the U.S.R. Triton club with their coach.

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  The Duitse Huis, a historic building complex, pictured in 1982.

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  A view of the Oudegracht from the 1890s, with the Dom Tower in the distance.

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  A view of the Oudegracht from the top of the Dom Tower.

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  An aerial view of Utrecht from the Dom Tower in 2009.