Bartholomeüsbrug & Catherijnesingel Utrecht

by Coen Koppen

For a long time, until the 19th century, this former defensive moat around the city had very limited land crossing via a small number of city gates. The defences around the city also included dozens of rampart towers. One of the most imposing of these was the Smeetoren, which stood on the site of this bridge from the Middle Ages until around 1855. Around that year, the defences were largely demolished and new connections across the moat to the sprouting suburbs in the rapidly expanding city gradually emerged.

Around 1900, there was a ferry barge at the location of today's Bartholomew's Bridge. In 1902, the Bartholomew's Bridge was finally opened next to the Bartholomew Hospital. By the mid-20th century, the Bartholomew Bridge was in very poor condition. In 1952, a renovated Bartholomeus bridge was opened in the form of a bascule bridge constructed in stone and iron/steel to the design of G. van der Gaast. The Krimpen company Hollandia was involved in the construction.

You can see here the reflection of the trees along Catherijnesingel in the water. With skimming light from a winter afternoon sun, this image has almost a spring-like appearance. For people who love the history and waters of Utrecht, this is a great photo.