Trajectum Lumen

Trajectum Lumen is a light art route through the old centre of Utrecht, and it is a way to see the city's historic buildings in a new way after dark. Trajectum was the Roman name for the settlement, meaning the crossing, since a Roman fort stood at a ford of the Rhine, and Lumen is the Latin word for light, so the name suggests light on the crossing. The route was introduced in the 2010s and links a series of buildings, bridges and spaces in the city with carefully designed lighting, so that the city itself becomes an open-air gallery.

The installations are designed to highlight the architecture and history of the places they illuminate. The lighting picks out details such as the arches of a bridge, the tracery of a church, the facade of a canal house or the wharf cellars along the Oudegracht, and it uses colour and changing patterns to create moods that relate to the history of each location. The walk takes in some of the best known landmarks of Utrecht, including the Dom Tower, which at 112 metres is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, and the Domkerk, and it leads through narrow streets and over canal bridges. Walking the whole route takes a couple of hours, though you can join and leave it at any point.

The lights are on every night of the year, and the route is free to walk, which makes it reliable regardless of the season. The best time is after dusk, when the colours are most striking, and in winter, when it gets dark early, the route can be walked after an afternoon in the city. Guided tours are available for those who prefer more background, with a small charge, and they explain the artistic ideas and the stories behind the buildings. Maps and information are available from the tourist office, and some of the stops have signs.

The route fits easily with the other sights of Utrecht. The Oudegracht, the old canal with its double quays, is at its most atmospheric in the evening, the Centraal Museum, Museum Catharijneconvent and Museum Speelklok are open during the day, and Neude and the Janskerk are on the way. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can stop for dinner.

The trail suits couples, families, photographers and anyone who enjoys an evening walk in a historic city. Wear comfortable shoes, dress warmly in winter and bring a camera with good low-light capabilities.