Utrecht, Administrative capital in central Netherlands
Utrecht is an administrative capital on the Kromme Rijn, Oude Rijn, and Vecht rivers in the center of the country, defined by medieval buildings and canals with two-level waterfront walkways. The old center spreads around a main square, from which narrow streets and waterways branch in all directions.
A Roman fortress rose here in the year 50, marking the beginning of the settlement then called Trajectum ad Rhenum. Over the centuries it grew into a religious center whose influence extended far across the region.
Residents gather at canal-side terraces for coffee and conversation throughout the day, while the narrow streets of the center remain busy with cyclists. Music performances and film screenings attract a young crowd drawn by the large student community that shapes the feel of the city.
The central train station connects the city to all major destinations in the country and serves as a starting point for exploring on foot or by bicycle. Most sights lie close together within the compact historic center, which can be crossed in about an hour.
The Dom Tower reaches a height of 112 meters (367 feet), making it the tallest church tower in the country, after a storm in 1674 separated it from its cathedral. Visitors can still see the gap between the tower and the church nave where the middle section once stood.
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