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DOMunder- Utrecht’s Underground Archaeological Expertise

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Guests to Utrecht’s Domplein, the cathedral sq., could also be unaware that as they admire the historic Dom Church and hovering Dom Tower they’re strolling above 2,000 years of buried historical past. 

Entrance to DOMunder in Utrecht.Entrance to DOMunder in Utrecht.
Entrance to DOMunder within the Domplein

Under the sq. are the crumbled ruins of what as soon as stood on this spot- a Roman fortress and the cathedral’s nave. This fascinating a part of Utrecht’s historical past might be found whereas visiting the underground ruins as a part of a novel archaeological expertise generally known as DOMunder.

Crumbled cathedral ruins at DOMunder.Crumbled cathedral ruins at DOMunder.

Since I really like archaeology and ruins, the DOMunder tour was one of many actions I used to be most trying ahead to throughout my day in Utrecht. Right here’s a proof of what DOMunder is, what my expertise was like, and my DOMunder evaluation.

Old brick walls underground the Domplein.Old brick walls underground the Domplein.

What’s DOMunder?

DOMunder in Utrecht is an archaeological attraction of subterranean ruins that symbolize 2,000 years of historical past of the Domplein. 

Crumbled church ruins at DOMunder.Crumbled church ruins at DOMunder.

Guests to DOMunder get to play the position of an archaeologist by going underground and inspecting the excavated stays with an interactive flashlight and audioguide. When the flashlight is shone on a sensor within the ruins, it prompts a narration within the headphones about that object and the way it pertains to Utrecht’s historical past. There are 30 factors of curiosity you possibly can study in the course of the tour.

Broken columns at DOMunder.Broken columns at DOMunder.

Along with the archaeological exploration, there’s additionally a multimedia presentation that just about transports guests to Utrecht’s Roman previous and thru the Center Ages.

Pile of stone ruins.Pile of stone ruins.

My Expertise on the DOMunder Discovery Tour

The DOMunder Discovery Tour began in a constructing throughout from the Dom Tower the place members have been divided into teams in accordance with language and assigned a information. 

Right here the information gave us a presentation in regards to the historical past of the Domplein, from its origin as a Roman castellum, then a spiritual centre with chapels and church buildings, and finally the positioning of a Gothic cathedral (the Domkerk). The information laid out some diagrams of the Domplein on the ground so we may visualize the completely different constructions that stood on the sq. over time. 

Diagrams of the Domplein and its churches throughout history.Diagrams of the Domplein and its churches throughout history.

A number of eras of establishing buildings on the identical web site resulted in a layered historical past that may now be seen under the Domplein. The information confirmed us an image of the distinct tiers of various building supplies used within the Roman occasions, the early Center Ages, and the Center Ages so we may search for examples of those eras after we headed underground for the tour portion.

Picture of the layers of construction materials used on a wall through different eras.Picture of the layers of construction materials used on a wall through different eras.

As soon as the academic introduction was performed, the group walked to the Domplein and descended a staircase into the darkness under the sq.. We got our particular flashlight and headphones after which gathered for the brief multimedia presentation. 

Stairway to DOMunder.Stairway to DOMunder.

In the course of the video, we obtained to see reconstructions of the Roman castellum, the Gothic cathedral, and different constructions that when stood above us. My favorite a part of the audiovisual portion of the tour got here partway by way of our underground exploration after we have been proven a recreation of the huge storm that decreased the cathedral’s nave to rubble in 1674, creating an open house that’s now the Domplein. 

Audiovisual presentation at DOMunder.Audiovisual presentation at DOMunder.

After the video was over, we have been free to stroll the circuit across the ruins, exploring the rubble with our flashlights. At first once I shone my mild on objects I wasn’t listening to any commentary, however that’s as a result of my mild wasn’t hitting a sensor. As soon as I found out what the sensors seemed like, and that they have been solely by sure objects and never the whole lot, the expertise was significantly better!

A light activated sensor in front of a pile of stone balls.A light activated sensor in front of a pile of stone balls.
Mild shining on a sensor
A light activated sensor in front of a pile of stone balls.A light activated sensor in front of a pile of stone balls.

Throughout my archaeological exploration, I noticed historic partitions, crumbled columns, toppled spires, and a few ornamental components that adorned the cathedral’s nave.

Stone wall underground at DOMunder.Stone wall underground at DOMunder.
Broken columns at DOMunder.Broken columns at DOMunder.
Stone decorations on display.Stone decorations on display.

Considered one of my favorite discoveries was the animal footprints preserved in stone. One seemed like a cat print and the opposite a canine print.

Animal footprint preserved in stone.Animal footprint preserved in stone.
Animal footprint preserved in stone.Animal footprint preserved in stone.
Animal footprint preserved in stone.Animal footprint preserved in stone.

One other spotlight was the collapsed burial vault and human skeleton mendacity by a gravestone. 

Skeleton laying in the dirt by a headstone.Skeleton laying in the dirt by a headstone.
Skeleton laying in the dirt by a headstone.Skeleton laying in the dirt by a headstone.

Close to the top of the circuit, there have been some architectural components in a pile of rubble, together with what gave the impression to be some gargoyle water spouts. My information advised me that this a part of the DOMunder is a bit “staged”, whereas different artifacts have been left as they have been discovered throughout excavation. 

Gargoyle water spout in a pile of rubble at DOMunder.Gargoyle water spout in a pile of rubble at DOMunder.
Gargoyle water spout in a pile of rubble.Gargoyle water spout in a pile of rubble.

After ending the route, I handed in my flashlight and exited up the staircase again to the Domplein feeling impressed by what was hidden just below my ft.

Cathedral ruins at DOMunder.Cathedral ruins at DOMunder.

Last Ideas- My DOMunder Evaluation

The DOMunder Discovery Tour was essentially the most distinctive expertise I had throughout my one week in the Netherlands

Old brick wall and pipe underground.Old brick wall and pipe underground.

I really like archaeology and ruins, so thought it was neat to go to an underground excavation space. Getting to make use of a flashlight to look the ruins for historic gadgets was a enjoyable novelty and the recorded tales about them have been attention-grabbing too. General, I’d describe the expertise as half treasure hunt half audio tour.

Stone church ruins.Stone church ruins.

The introductory lesson from the information was nice as properly. His presentation was thorough, however not overwhelmingly detailed to drive me to boredom. The images and different visible aids helped make the knowledge participating.

Brick wall and a small decorative tile.Brick wall and a small decorative tile.

One factor I’d change in regards to the DOMunder expertise is the audiovisual presentation. It was divided into two components and the second bit in regards to the windstorm began after we have been midway across the route. Unexpectedly we heard storm sounds and voices and have been questioning what was occurring. The information needed to shortly usher everybody again to the start line to observe the video in regards to the highly effective winds that collapsed the nave. I’d have most well-liked it if all of the movies have been proven at the beginning.

Cathedral spire in a pile of ruins.Cathedral spire in a pile of ruins.

I loved visiting DOMunder in Utrecht and thought it was an entertaining and interactive option to be taught in regards to the historical past of the town and the Domplein whereas admiring archaeological finds.

Skeleton at DOMunder.Skeleton at DOMunder.

Ideas for Visiting DOMunder

Location: DOMunder is positioned in Utrecht’s Domplein (the cathedral sq.). 

Tickets: DOMunder tickets might be purchased on the Vacationer Info Centre at Domplein 9, throughout from the Dom Tower. Tickets may also conveniently be purchased on-line here. If you buy a ticket you’ll have to choose your tour time. 

  • It’s really helpful to purchase your ticket just a few days upfront when you’ve got a selected time you wish to go, particularly in the course of the summer season season. I attempted to purchase a same-day ticket and couldn’t get the time I wished however was capable of get one for the subsequent day.

Tour Size: The whole expertise takes about 75 minutes. I did the final tour of the day and it went for about 90 minutes since they didn’t must rush for the subsequent group.

Languages: The DOMunder Discovery Tour is obtainable in English, Dutch, and German. 

Different Ideas: You aren’t allowed to carry baggage and purses into the ruins. There are lockers accessible to retailer your belongings in the course of the tour.

  • DOMunder is really helpful for ages 8 and above. 
  • There may be restricted accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the venue immediately for visitation choices.
Old stones.Old stones.

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