Museums in Utrecht

Utrecht is not only a city with monuments and many students (who prominently dominate bicycle traffic in the city center), but Utrecht also has interesting and diverse museums. Large and small, but all worth a visit and easily accessible on foot or by bike from Hotel Mitland. They are nearby.

Utrecht is not only a city with monuments and many students (who prominently dominate the bicycle traffic in the city center), but Utrecht also boasts interesting and diverse museums. Large and small, but all worth a visit and easily accessible on foot or by bike from Hotel Mitland. They are nearby. The largest and most well-known museums in Utrecht:

Centraal Museum
The Centraal Museum has existed since 1838 and is therefore the oldest municipal museum in the Netherlands. The museum manages a varied collection of art, city history, fashion, and applied arts. From the Utrecht Caravaggists to Marlene Dumas and from Viktor & Rolf to the centuries-old Utrecht ship. The museum is housed in a former medieval monastery and has a beautiful courtyard garden with a terrace. It is a wonderful place to wander through the many corridors and staircases and be surprised by the various exhibitions.

The shop, in an old chapel, and the museum café complete the visit. The Centraal Museum has the largest collection in the world of objects by the Utrecht architect Gerrit Rietveld, and you can view work by the world-famous Utrechter Dick Bruna (Miffy!). The collection of old masters, with works by, among others, Jan van Scorel and Abraham Bloemaert, is also very worthwhile. In addition to 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 contemporary fashion, design, and visual arts.
Agnietenstraat 1, www.centraalmuseum.nl/en

Museum Catharijneconvent
Museum Catharijneconvent is a national museum for religious art. The museum is housed in the former monastery the Catharijneconvent, which was presumably already dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria in the 12th century. The monastery building is attached to the Saint Catherine's Cathedral. The museum originates from various collections. The museum's permanent collection is permanently accessible. Furthermore, temporary exhibitions are regularly held. Museum Catharijneconvent has an extensive collection of special (art) historical objects from the early Middle Ages to the 21st century. The permanent collection provides an image 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 covers adorned with gemstones, richly crafted sculptures, special paintings, altarpieces, church clothing, and objects in gold and silver. One of the highlights of the collection is the early medieval Lebuïnus chalice of richly crafted ivory. The Hammer of Saint Martin is also part of the collection.
Lange Nieuwstraat 38, www.catharijneconvent.nl/visitor-information/

Spoorwegmuseum
The Spoorwegmuseum is a fascinating place where you discover how the train changed the world. The entrance of the museum in the historic Maliebaan station provides a royal reception; a real royal train stands on the platform. It is the start of an exciting journey through train history! The various attractions in the museum bring the world of railways to life. Step into a time machine to the period of the very first steam locomotive, float in a cart past life-sized Steel Monsters, and meet the actors in the theater where the famous Orient Express plays the leading role. Experience in the Fire Test what it is like to drive a train yourself and discover the workings of the train in the Techlab. But that's not all. Throughout the year, there are changing exhibitions and events.
Maliebaanstation, www.spoorwegmuseum.nl/en/

Museum Speelklok
In Museum Speelklok, you step into the world of magnificent magical music machines. The museum's unique historical collection contains the most special self-playing instruments. They range from small to large: from small music boxes, automata, and musical clocks to large carillon clocks and fairground and street organs. You can see and especially hear them, as all the music machines in the museum work! Join the Musical Tour and hear the instruments play live. You can explore the Royal Room, the Museum Expedition, or have a drink with a treat in the museum café. In the Music Factory, you can make your own pling-plong card with music. Museum Speelklok is located in the heart of Utrecht in the medieval Buurkerk. It is the largest museum for self-playing mechanical musical instruments in Europe and is fun for all ages.
Steenweg 6, www.museumspeelklok.nl/en/