The Letters of Utrecht

The Letters of Utrecht is an ongoing poem carved letter by letter into cobblestones along a central street, gradually forming a continuous literary work. Each stone holds a single character that together create verses, arranged sequentially as visitors walk along the path.

The project started in 2012 when stonemasons first installed hundreds of letters, inaugurated by the city's mayor in a public ceremony. Since then, the poem has grown continuously with new verses being added over the years.

Local poets from Utrecht contribute verses to this ongoing public poem, with different writers adding their voices every few years. Their names are sometimes carved alongside the letters, linking contemporary authors to this shared artistic creation.

The work stretches along the street for quite a distance, so plan enough time to read the complete poem at your own pace. Walking from start to finish is the best way to experience it, allowing you to follow the verses naturally as you move through the area.

Every Saturday at 1 p.m., specialized stonemasons gather to carve a new letter directly into the cobblestones in front of onlookers. These regular carving sessions transform the work into a living art project that grows visibly over time.

Inception: 2012

GPS coordinates: 52.08610,5.12194

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:00