Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Dom Tower of Utrecht

The Dom Tower in Utrecht Photo by Massimo Catarinella Wikimedia

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Dom Tower of Utrecht

The Dom Tower (Cathedral Tower, Dutch: Domtoren) of Utrecht is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands,at 112.5 metres (368 feet) in height. It is considered the symbol of Utrecht and it is one of the top tourist attractions in Utrecht. 

The tower was part of St. Martin’s Cathedral, also known as the Dom Church, and was built between 1321 and 1382, to a design by John of Hainaut. The cathedral was never fully completed due to lack of money.Let’s take a look at some of the most remarkable facts about it;

1.It was built during the 14th century in the year 1382

The Dom Tower in ancient times Photo sourced from Wikimedia

The Dom Tower was one of the largest towers constructed in Europe during the fourteenth century, and it was planned to show the power of the church in Utrecht.Its construction led preacher Geert Groote to protest against the vanity of such an immense project, suggesting it was too tall, too expensive and all but aesthetic. 

Upon completion in 1382 the tower stood 109 metres tall.However the height was increased during the restorations in 1910, to its present height of 112.5 metres.

2.The tower consists of two square blocks, topped by a much lighter lantern

The tower consists of two square blocks, topped by a much lighter lantern. One of the most striking features is the absence of visible buttresses. Its particular shape and original architecture had a large influence on many other towers in the Netherlands, including the Martinitoren in Groningen.

The Dom tower was a multifunctional building. In addition to being a belfry, it contained a private chapel of the Bishop of Utrecht on the first floor. It also served as a watchtower; the tower guard was housed on the second floor of the lower square block. 

3.The Dom Tower has an exceptional peal of fourteen ringing bells

The Dom Tower has an exceptional peal of fourteen ringing bells, weighing 32 tonnes in total. In 1505 Geert van Wou, then the most famous bell-founder of the Netherlands, made a harmonious peal of thirteen bells.The seven smallest bells, sold in 1664 to finance the new carillon, were replaced in 1982 with new bells by Eijsbouts.

The largest bell, the Salvator, has a weight of 8,200 kg and a diameter of 227 cm.Together with the fourteenth bell, they form the largest existing homogeneous group of medieval bells. The cathedral’s bells are still rung by hand by members of the Utrecht Bellringers Guild.

4.The tower has its own visitor centre, RonDom

The tower has its own visitor centre, RonDom , which is located in the square. As well as stocking a range of souvenirs, they organise a number of activities centred on the tower, including regular guided tours which allow people to climb the 465 steps to the top of the Dom Tower.

On a clear day it is possible to see both Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The booking office for guided tours is located in the square at the foot of the tower. It is also possible to get married in the tower, it has space and it is one of the most loved places. 

5.There was a long standing tradition in the city that no building was to be built bigger than the tower

The Dom Tower is the tallest building in Utrecht Photo by ErikHonig Wikipedia

Until recently, there was an unwritten  rule in evaluating planning applications in the city of Utrecht was that no building could be built that exceeded the Dom Tower in height.This restriction seems to have been dispensed for plans in the developing suburban area in the west of Utrecht (Leidsche Rijn).

A skyscraper of 262 metres in height has been proposed, challenging this long-standing tradition. The plans for this tower, however, were cancelled in 2010 due to the economic crisis. 

6.Part of the cathedral, where the tower is was damaged but the tower was undamaged

The cathedral’s nave was never completely finished, and on the night of August 1, 1674, a tornado destroyed this part of the cathedral, but the tower was undamaged.Since the unfinished nave collapsed in 1674, the Dom tower has been a freestanding tower.The tower stands at the spot where the city of Utrecht originated almost 2,000 years ago.

The remaining section of the church and the tower were never reconnected, and the Domplein Square now separates the two structures.A replica of the Dom Tower has been constructed in the Dutch themed amusement park; Huis Ten Bosch (theme park) at Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan.

7.The Dom tower has a carillon in its building, there were many operators of the Carrillon

The Dom tower has a carillon in its building, there were many operators of the Carrillon spanning from the 16th century to now.In 1625, Jacob van Eyck became carillon player of the Dom Tower.There are several carillonneurs that have played in the Dom tower over the years. 

In 1664, a new carillon was installed by Juriaan Sprakel of Zutphen, with a mechanism consisting of 35 chimes,made by the brothers Pieter and François Hemony. In 1972 the carillon was restored and extended to 50 bells. The current player is Małgosia Fiebig. 

8.The most recent restoration of the tower started in 2019

The third complete restoration of the Dom Tower started in 2019 and will take until the end of 2024 to finish. The restoration started in 2019 and the prognosis is that it will be finished in 2024. The restoration focusses on the exterior of the tower.

The team starts at the top and wil slowly make its way to ground level. No work will be done on the inside because the interior is in good condition.

9. There are several hotels and restaurants near it

There are several hotels and restaurants near it including;Mother Goose Hotel which is 0.14 miles away, The Nox (0.14 mi), Logement Petit Beijers (0.04 mi) Court Hotel (0.12 mi) and Hotel Dom (0.08 mi). 

The restaurants near it include; Thai 88 which is 0.01 miles away, Grand Bar & Brasserie Marie (0.01 mi), Kippig (0.01 mi) Brasserie Domplein (0.01 mi) and Loof which is 0.01 miles away. 

10.The Dom Tower is open to the public and offers an excellent view of Utrecht

The Dom Tower Photo by Zairon Wikimedia

The Dom Tower is open to the public and offers an excellent view of Utrecht and the surrounding area, but before you can enjoy the view you first have to climb 465 stairs! On a clear day, you can see the church steeples of Amersfoort, Rhenen, Montfoort, Oudewater, Woerden and even Amsterdam from the top of the tower. 

It is one of the most sought after tourist attractions site in the Utrecht and its surrounding areas and it is one of the most visited sites in the Netherlands. It has 465 steps and 112 meters high.