Turn on the GPS and let's get started. Wait a minute, but what is that sound? Tak, tak, tak, tak. Tuuuuu. Okay, trains don't make those sounds anymore, we're not back in the days when there were steam locomotives everywhere, hahaha. Ah, do they still exist? Probably. That's not the point though, hahaha, nor is it part of the story.
Although, realistically, there is something related. I don't think steam trains have been cancelled constaly as the ones here in Netherlands, hahaha. They're also about as accurate as a Swiss watch bought from AliExpress. One should always keep an eye on whether there is a train cancel, an accident on the way, delay and so on.
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Oh, when will flying cars be everywhere already? You just fly or teleport and you're at your final destination, haha. But now, along with you, for the next few days we're going to be teleporting to a pretty stunning place... or rather, city. If you've read one of my posts, you know which city I'm talking about.
That's right - Utrecht. Trade, the building of grand cathedrals and political intrigue... No, I'm not talking about a George R. Р. Martin. Just kidding. Of course, I can't fill you in on the entire history of the city, as my adventure and exploration is just beginning.
First, I want to introduce you to "The Chamber of Secrets" or more accurately "The Building of Secrets". Are you lost yet? Yes, me too, hahaha. The door to it is called Het Utrechts Archief - the keeper of the city's secrets. And some of the secrets are pretty creepy, but I'll go through them especially for you, as you can see in the video below.
Yes, these are the dungeons. What exactly is in those delves, no living person could tell me, hahaha. I guess - old scrolls, food, wine or maybe... Nah, let's not talk about dead and so on, the whole setting is creepy enough. If you decide to visit this part of the museum, be careful because you might hear a voice right next to the entrance. I cut my scream out of the video... but just to warn you, you might be startled. It's a hologram or video of a Dutchman telling a story - most likely about the building.
And what about the building itself? It's historic in its own right - it used to be a monastery, then magically became a keeper of history. Realistically, in those ancient times, everything was either a monastery or a fortress, hahaha. Since I started from the basement to show you around the museum, once you go through the scary dungeons, you can get a glimpse of the fashion during that time, the lifestyle and the way of life presented through pictures.
Men in long coats, to keep them from the Dutch weather, and women in dresses with veils, like walking tapestries. As time went on, fashion became a little more humanised - velvet, silk, high collars and hats appeared, and some of these collars were so huge that you could easily hold your dinner in them and no one would know.
If you've ever wondered why the aristocrats of the time didn't turn their heads sharply, the reason is simple - they couldn't. Their collars were so tight and high that any sudden movement was a risk to their lives. Off with their heads!!!
And as for colours - black has been the new black since the 17th century! Back then, wearing black clothes was a symbol of prestige because black cloth was terribly expensive. Today you can buy a black T-shirt for 5 euros, but back then? If you wore black, you were either rich or a priest, haha.
Men in Netherlands, on the other hand, wore wide-brimmed hats and leather collars that probably made them look like mafia bosses from the 1600s. Imagine the scene: a man with a long coat, a huge collar, a wide hat and a glass of wine in his hand... The only thing missing is the joint... or not, haha. And today? Raincoat, comfy shoes and maybe a bike helmet because bikes are more than people to be honest, hahaha.
Sideway of the photographic time machine, hidden in the dark, is Al Capone's car. Hahaha, just kidding. A really lovely old carriage, reminiscent of the Victorian era. From there, we move down the hallway to the slightly creepy booths filled with history. Some of them didn't work, unfortunately, and didn't come with embedded English subtitles or English audio. The only huge downside to the underground floor.
And now I'll explain why I made the Harry Potter reference. On the first floor, in the hall where you can learn about all the tools and ways of cartography, you will find a huge "wizard" chess set. Yes, you heard me right - a huge chess set where you can play with your friends and, if you have a little imagination, imagine that you yourself are in Harry Potter.
If you meet a ghost in the dungeons, just tell him you're a tourist and he'll probably leave you alone. But, in case you do disappear... er... thanks for reading my experience and please don't haunt me like a ghost.
Information:
📍 Location: Hamburgerstraat 28, 3512 NS Utrecht
🕒 Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00
🎟️ Ticket Prices:
Adults € 5,00
Children up to 12 years free
Museumcard / ICOM-card free.
🌐 Website:
Het Utrechts Archief
suffer from the past, to long for the future, but to forget the present.
Any unsourced images and writing are my own. Life is worth it!
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