Utrecht Highlights

Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. It began as a Roman settlement about two thousand years ago and grew around the Dom tower, the cathedral and the canals that still define the centre.

The city combines a medieval street plan with a large student population and a modern cultural calendar. The Museum Quarter, the wharf level along the canals and the compact centre make it easy to explore on foot between sessions.

The Dom Tower

The Dom Tower stands at the heart of the historic centre and is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. A guided climb of 465 steps leads to the top, with a view across the city. The tower is part of the Dom Quarter, alongside the Dom Church and the square that opened when the nave collapsed in a storm in 1674.

Centraal Museum

The Centraal Museum holds art and culture from Utrecht and beyond, from the Utrecht Caravaggists to Dick Bruna and the De Stijl movement. It occupies a former cloister with a courtyard, a short walk from the Dom.

The Railway Museum

The Dutch Railway Museum, Het Spoorwegmuseum, occupies the former Maliebaan station. It preserves the history of the national railway and hosted the ISEE 2019 conference dinner. The museum is about two kilometres from the conference centre, a pleasant walk or cycle through the city.

The Museum Quarter and the wharves

The Museum Quarter gathers several museums and historic buildings around the Lange Nieuwstraat. Along the Oudegracht, the old wharf level has been converted into cafes, galleries and workshops, giving the canal a second street below the waterline.

Science and the university

Utrecht University and its Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences sit within the city's academic landscape. The University Museum and the Oude Hortus offer a view of the city's scientific history and its botanical collections.