Maria Minor, Protected church building in central Utrecht, Netherlands
Maria Minor is a former church in central Utrecht built with a neoclassical facade during the 19th century. The building contains medieval cellars beneath its structure and now operates as a restaurant while maintaining its protected monument status.
The building was constructed between 1860 and 1863 according to designs by architect Th.G. van Doorn as a replacement for a hidden chapel. It replaced an earlier concealed religious structure that had served the same parish community.
The church reflects how religious spaces were designed and used in Utrecht through its layout and architectural details. Visitors can sense the role these buildings played in the daily lives of the city's residents through the spaces they occupy.
The building is located on Achter Clarenburg street and now functions as a restaurant, allowing visitors to explore its interior spaces. Access depends on restaurant hours, so it is best to plan a visit accordingly with this in mind.
The building originally featured an organ built by Johan Frederik Witte in 1890, reflecting the musical traditions of Utrecht's religious institutions. Many of its interior decorations were later transferred to other city churches before the space was converted to its current use.
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