The canals

The canals in Amsterdam are famous but the Canals in Utrecht have something so unique one cannot find anywhere in the world. The canals have pedestrian walkways on either side those walkways give access to cellers which run under the street to the houses situated on streetlevel.. These were built mainly in the 13 - 14th century and where used as Warehouses to store goods ready for transport. As the waterlevel was so low, it was not possible to load and unload the ships from streetlevel. Therefore low level quays ware built to access the warehouses.

Today they are nice walkways on canal level, away from the noicy street. Many warehouses were transferred into cafe's restaurants of shops.Espacially the Oude gracht (Old canal) has a nice and cosy atmosphere in summer months. The  Nieuwe gracht (New canal) is a quit place and most authentic of the canals.

The Ols canal

The New Canal