Pandhof Domkerk

The Pandhof is the cloister garden of the Domkerk in Utrecht, and it is one of the quietest places in the old centre. A pandhof is the enclosed courtyard surrounded by a covered walkway, the cloister, found beside many medieval cathedrals and monasteries. This one belonged to the cathedral chapter, the group of canons who served St. Martin's cathedral in the Middle Ages, and the cloister walks gave them a sheltered place to walk and pray between services. Parts of the Gothic cloister arcades survive and give the garden its distinctive character.

To understand why it is a hidden spot, it helps to know about the Domkerk. The cathedral was built over several centuries and was once the largest church in the Netherlands, linked to the freestanding Dom Tower by the nave. In 1674 a violent storm, perhaps a tornado, brought down the nave, and it was never rebuilt. As a result the tower now stands apart from the church, with an open square between them. The cloister survived, and it lies against the side of the church, away from the busy square.

The garden itself is small but carefully kept. Stone paths lead between beds of herbs, flowers and low hedges, and the walls are covered with climbing plants. Benches invite visitors to rest. Old gravestones, carvings and fragments of the medieval buildings can be seen along the walks, and the church wall rises high above the garden, so the tall Gothic windows are part of the view. The mood changes through the seasons, with bulbs in spring, roses and herbs in summer and falling leaves in autumn.

The entrance can be easy to miss, so look for signs near the church. Entry to the garden is generally free, though opening times can change, particularly in winter or for church events. Visitors are asked to keep voices low, as the place is meant to be calm.

The garden fits naturally into a walk around Utrecht. The Dom Tower, which can be climbed for a view of the city, the canals with their wharf cellars, the Museum Catharijneconvent and the Centraal Museum are all within reach. It suits history lovers, photographers and anyone wanting a few minutes of peace in a busy city. A visit takes about twenty minutes.