Domplen is one of the most popular and beautiful spots in Utrecht to stop at and...well depends on what you want to do. There is beautiful architecture to admire surrounding the entire square. There are a lot of historical monuments and significance to learn about. There are also plenty of bars and pubs to get lost in. So yeah, lots of things to do in this place.
The obvious thing to do, and the most popular activity for visitors, is to climb up the Domtower. That is if you find it open. The bells still ring and I am sure it plays its part in that regard, but it has been going through renovations and reconstruction for a very long time - which means there is a chance that it'll be closed to visitors. That was the case for me. However, Domplein Square is still always available, and I made sure I was going to get my fill of the beautiful decorations on the buildings of the square.
The Domkirk is a gorgeous structure that in theory should look absolutely stunning from atop the Dom tower, but even from the ground of the square, it is remarkably beautiful. This view is from the eastern side of the square. I would have taken pictures of the brick walls and iron decorations but they were obscured by construction scaffolding and whatnot. Most probably renovation or preparing for worse weather. However, the northern entrance of this Gothic cathedral is even better.
What really impressed me was the craftsmanship and quality retained of the decorations. I have seen quite a bit of Gothic architecture styled buildings and structures, only a few are in such pristine condition. This is not some of the best, but it is pretty damn impressive nevertheless. Especially when you factor in the time period this style was popular, and how much time it took, and the value it carried.
This piece of art also stands in the Domplein. Depending on where you are standing, it has either a beautiful background of the Dom church or the extended building on the other side which is now part of the University of Utrecht, the halls, if I am not wrong. Right behind this statue is the entrance to a garden in the cloister next to the cathedral.
This bronze statue of Jan van Nassau is pretty important as he shaped the first union of Utrecht and is given credit for building much of the Dutch state and its framework. The statue is made of gorgeous bronze but the base is mostly used for visitors to sit on. What a surprise.
Before I dive deep into bronze statues, structures, and my weird tenacity towards them, let me show you more of the decorations. Especially, on the building which is now part of Utrecht University.
I do not know about others, but I find these things very fascinating. Each element is a story that is written in stone, if not carved or molded from it. Each of the designs was thoroughly thought about for who knows how long, and then were designed, approved, delegated, and finally either stuck or were demolished to be redone.
The first time I genuinely got intrigued by such decorations and found an intense need to find the meanings was in Ukraine. I always used to wonder why gargoyles were on buildings. Do you know why?
This building, however, is humble compared to many cathedrals and other historically important structures. Most of the decorations are up on the upper floors, or by the towers, and the gates.
There are extremely few mascarons on this building which makes me believe it has been either heavily renovated or the facade was heavily defaced sometime in the past. The faces you see with a shiny golden background are probably people who have had a huge impact on education, politics, justice, art, and whatnot.
The choice of design also made me wonder if it goes through continuous changes or not. I mean, why else take the time to constantly keep up such a minute part of the ornaments?
These photographs show a very tiny part of what Utrecht has to offer, but I genuinely enjoy looking at historical and antique places. Sometimes I take photos of such places and then look at maybe a couple of times and then delete them. What quirky thing do you like to photograph?
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