The city of Utrecht

Utrecht, the historical heart of The Netherlands, is well known as an excellent meeting and congress destination. The city of Utrecht may rightly be called the "Heart of the Netherlands", for its central position in the country. With a population of about 250,000 it is the fourth largest among the big towns Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. The greater Utrecht Region has a population of almost one million.

The city has a lively academic atmosphere, due to the presence of the Utrecht University and its students. A wide variety of meeting, conference and hotel accommodation is available.
Utrecht as a conference city is easily accessible, centrally located and has lots of congressional facilities. Every year about one million people visit Utrecht and the Royal Dutch Fairs ("Jaarbeurs") to attend conferences, fairs, symposiums, meetings, courses, exhibitions and other large-scale public events.

Inhabited since Roman times, Utrecht was once the stronghold of powerful and wealthy bishops who dominated the ancient city and surrounding region, opposing the Counts of Holland until the Union of Utrecht brought about their reconciliation in 1579. For centuries, the smallest Dutch province of the Lowlands - also called Utrecht - was a magnet for the nobility, who scattered the region with castles, many of which still line the lovely river Vecht. The bishops and noblemen invested in the reclamation of vast peatland areas into agricultural land since the 13th century. Today Utrecht is a thriving centre of commerce, with a variety of shops and an interesting nightlife centred in jazz clubs, theatres and dance venues.

Utrecht has one of the oldest universities in Holland. This university, founded in 1636, is the largest in The Netherlands. It has a great international reputation; especially in the fields of medical, natural and social sciences.

The City of Utrecht, with its inextricable combination of rich past and dynamic present, is a truly unique place to visit. Where else can one find the tallest and finest church tower in Holland: the "Dom", a landmark over 600 years old and 112-metre-high, which greets you at every turn. Those who manage to climb all 465 steps to the top, will be rewarded by the most breathtaking views imaginable.

Returning to the ground level, it is well worth descending yet another flight of steps, down to the old wharves along the Oudegracht.   Originally constructed to provide access to the cellars belonging to the canalside houses, many of these cellars have now been turned into restaurants, boutiques and shops.

However, many people's first impression of Utrecht is firmly planted in the 20th century: at the railway station and shopping centre Hoog Catharijne, with 180 shops the largest mall in Holland. Just outside this complex is the Jaarbeurs Congress and Convention Centre.

Utrecht is well known for its compactness and almost everything of interest can be explored on foot, including many churches, cloisters, courtyards and almshouses.
 
And what do you think of a discovery tour along the canals and wharves? They are unique in the world, and are characteristic for the city's town centre.

Utrecht by night

As darkness falls, Utrecht's night life slowly gets under way. You can hear music coming from the cheerful cafes and bars, and once inside, animated conversation and laughter. And much later, when everyone has taken leave of the busy day, the city finally comes to rest. Utrecht has a wide choice of places where you can spend the night; from a simple guest house to a luxury hotel. Utrecht is a city where you feel completely at home.
 

UTRECHT, THE PROVINCE

The province of Utrecht is a green province and a large part of this green belongs to the 'Utrechtse Heuvelrug' (Utrecht Ridge) and the bordering wetlands of the 'Vechtplassen' area.. An oasis for those in search of rest and nature, almost a paradise for the naturalist visiting the low polder wetland landscape. Beautiful estates and gardens are characteristic of this part of the province.

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