Vredenburg Square

Vredenburg is a broad open square on the western edge of the old centre of Utrecht, between the railway station and the historic canals. The name goes back to a castle. In 1528, after the city was brought under the rule of the Habsburg emperor Charles V, a fortress called Vredenburg, which means peace castle, was built here to keep the unruly townspeople under control. The citizens hated it, and when the chance came in 1577 they pulled it down. The empty ground that remained was never built over in the same way and in time became a public space, which has kept its name ever since.

In modern times the area has changed with the city. In the 1970s a large shopping centre, Hoog Catharijne, was built between the station and the old town, and a concert hall followed on the edge of the square, changing the shape of the district and sacrificing part of the old canal. Since the 2000s, Utrecht has been redeveloping the area, restoring the filled-in canal and rebuilding the station region. The music centre now stands on the square as TivoliVredenburg, and the open space in front of it is used for events, markets and gatherings.

The square is best known for its street markets. A market is held here on certain days of the week, selling fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, flowers, clothes, household goods and snacks, and it draws local shoppers as well as visitors. Days and hours vary, so check the local schedule before going. Cafes and restaurants around the square provide a place to sit, and food stalls offer Dutch snacks. At other times the square is a busy crossroads, with people moving between the station, the shops and the old town, and students and cyclists passing in large numbers.

The position is a convenient one. The station is a few minutes' walk, and the Dom Tower, the canals with their wharf cellars and the Museum Speelklok are all within easy reach on foot. The Hoog Catharijne mall is directly alongside, and the Jaarbeurs trade fair centre is nearby.

Vredenburg suits people who want to see everyday life in the Dutch city, shoppers and those passing through. A visit takes half an hour, and a market stroll a little more. It is free and open at all times, and it works well as the first stop on a walk into the old town.