English version walking tour: The Cold War in Utrecht

Nederlandse versie wandeling: De Koude Oorlog in Utrecht

Google Maps Route

From the authors: 
What traces of the Cold War can still be found in a city like Utrecht today? At first glance, little seems to remain of a conflict that held the world in its grip for more than four decades. Yet, throughout the city, reminders of a period that brought profound tensions to both the Netherlands and the wider world can still be found.

During this approximately 90-minute walking tour, you will discover how the legacy of the Cold War continues to shape Utrecht’s urban landscape. Through a series of significant locations and stories, you will explore the tangible traces of this conflict and gain a deeper understanding of this period in Dutch history.

Each location will tell its own story on how international tensions became tangible in the city of Utrecht. Some places show how people prepared or handled a possible nuclear war, while other locations show how political conflicts grew into social tensions within the city itself. Together, this walk provides a local perspective on a global conflict.

We hope that this walking tour will not only provide a fun activity, but also offer a new perspective on the history of the Cold War and Utrecht. This project was very special and interesting for us. We really enjoyed researching and bringing back to life this somewhat forgotten history. That is why we hope that everyone walks through the city with as much curiosity and pleasure as we had putting together this route. Have fun walking!

~Dirk van Heiningen, Joran Sterrenburg and Suzanna Hollermann