Utrecht is not only a city with monuments and many students (who emphatically dominate the bicycle traffic in the city center), but Utrecht also has interesting and diverse museums. Big and small, but all worth a visit and easily reached on foot or by bike from Hotel Mitland. They are nearby. The largest and
well-known museums in Utrecht:
Central Museum
The Centraal Museum has existed since 1838, making it the oldest urban museum in the Netherlands. The museum manages a diverse collection of art, urban history, fashion and applied arts. From the Utrecht caravaggists to Marlene Dumas and from Viktor & Rolf to the centuries-old Utrecht ship. Housed in a former medieval monastery, the museum has a beautiful courtyard garden with a terrace. It is a wonderful place to wander through the many corridors and stairwells and be surprised by the various exhibitions.
The store, in an old chapel, and the museum café complete a visit. The Centraal Museum has the world's largest collection of objects by Utrecht architect Gerrit Rietveld, and you can see work by world-famous Utrecht artist Dick Bruna (Miffy!). The collection of old masters, with works by Jan van Scorel and Abraham Bloemaert, among others, is also well worth seeing. Besides the work of all these Utrecht icons, the Centraal Museum offers an overview of 2,000 years of turbulent history and also focuses on the 'present' with current fashion, design and visual arts.
Agnietenstraat 1, centraalmuseum.nl
Museum Catharijneconvent
Museum Catharijneconvent is a national museum of religious art. The museum is located in the former monastery the Catharijneconvent, believed to have been dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria as early as the 12th century. The convent building was built against St. Catherine's Cathedral. The museum stems from several collections. The museum's permanent holdings are permanently disclosed. In addition, temporary exhibitions take place on a regular basis. Museum Catharijneconvent has an extensive collection of extraordinary (art) historical objects from the early Middle Ages to the 21st century. The permanent collection gives a picture of the Christian art and cultural history of the Netherlands and the influence of that history on our society. The collection includes richly illustrated manuscripts, book bindings adorned with precious stones, richly carved sculptures, exceptional paintings, altarpieces, ecclesiastical clothing and objects in gold and silver. One of the collection's masterpieces is the early medieval Lebuinus Chalice made of richly carved ivory. The Hammer of St. Martin also belongs to the collection.
Lange Nieuwstraat 38, museumcatharijneconvent.nl
Railroad Museum
The Railway Museum is a fascinating place where you will discover how the train changed the world. The entrance to the museum in the historic Maliebaan station provides a regal welcome; a real royal train stands at the platform. It is the start of a fascinating journey through train history! The various attractions in the museum bring the world of railroads to life. Step into a time machine to the period of the very first steam locomotive, float in a trolley past life-size Steel Monsters and meet the actors in the theater where the famous Orient Express plays the leading role. Experience what it's like to drive a train yourself in the Trial by Fire and discover how trains work in the Techlab. But that's not all. Throughout the year there are changing exhibitions and events.
Maliebaanstation, spoorwegmuseum.nl
Museum Speelklok
At Museum Speelklok, you step into the world of magisterial magical music machines. The museum's unique historical collection contains the most extraordinary self-playing instruments. They range from small to large: from small music boxes, automatons and musical clocks to large carillon bells and fairground and street organs. You can see them and especially hear them, because all the music machines in the museum work! Join the Musical Tour and hear the instruments played live. You can explore the Royal Room, the Museum Expedition or have a drink and a snack in the museum café. In the Music Factory you can make your own plingplong card with music. Museum Speelklok is located in the heart of Utrecht in the medieval Buurkerk church. It is the largest museum of self-playing mechanical musical instruments in Europe and is fun for all ages.
Steenweg 6, museumspeelklok.nl