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Visitor information
Welcome to Museum Catharijneconvent!
A visit to medieval Utrecht is not complete without a visit to Museum Catharijneconvent. Wander the halls of a medieval monastery and be enchanted by the most beautiful collection of medieval art in the Netherlands.
Marvel at the glittering gold and silver in the Treasury, admire paintings by Rembrandt, Jan Steen and their contemporaries and visit our unique temporary exhibitions.
Exhibition: Christianity and slavery
Visit the exhibition Christianity and Slavery. A Dutch narrative.
Using historical sources, personal reflections, underexposed perspectives and contemporary art, you will gain insight into the often undiscussed relationship between Christianity and the Dutch slavery past. Christianity had a crucial influence on thinking about slavery. Never before has such a comprehensive exhibition on this subject been organized on this scale. The exhibition can be seen from June 29 to September 22, 2024.
About the exhibition
Can a good Christian be an enslaver? Should you convert your enslaved? And what does the Bible actually say about who may be enslaved? During the nearly three centuries of slavery in the Dutch colonial empire (ca. 1600–1863/1873), many pastors and other Christians searched for answers to such questions. As the 'public church' of the Republic, the Dutch Reformed Church played a major role in this. Overseas, the government and the Dutch Reformed Church kept watch over colonial society and determined whether other churches were allowed access to the colonies.
Enslaved people, meanwhile, were looking for ways to cope with oppression and improve their position. Religion was an essential source of strength in this regard.
Catharijneconvent - A building with a history
Museum Catharijneconvent occupies a characteristic building in the old city centre of Utrecht. The building has a long history going back to the fourteenth century. Originally, it was the site of a shelter for the homeless. In the fifteenth century the Carmelites acquired the land and built a convent. Later, the knights of St John turned it into a hospital, which it remained until the beginning of the nineteenth century. Subsequently it served various other functions until becoming a museum in 1979.
Opening hours & admission
Opening hours
- Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm
- Saturday, Sunday and holidays 11am - 5pm
- Closed Mondays, 1 January and 27 April
Admission
- ICOM, AICA, Museumkaart: Free*
- Children under 17: Free
- Students: € 7
- 65+: € 13.50*
- Adults: € 15*
*A surcharge may apply to temporary exhibitions.
Our temporary exhibitions are fully accessible for English-speaking visitors. For the permanent collection, a free audio guide is available in English.
Pin-only
Please note that paying in cash is no longer possible.
Groups, tour operators & facilities
Groups & tour operators
Various options are available for a visit with a group or tour operator.
We will be happy to tell you more. You can find more information on this page and/or contact our Group visits department at: groepsbezoek@catharijneconvent.nl.
Facilities
There is a museum shop, museum café and outdoor seating area, meeting rooms and a library on site.
Address, directions & accessibility
Visiting address
Lange Nieuwstraat 38
3512 PH Utrecht
The Netherlands
Contact
P.O. box 8518
3503 RM Utrecht
The Netherlands
Telephone: + 31 (0)30 231 38 35
E-mail: info@catharijneconvent.nl
Directions
- Only a 15-minute walk from Utrecht Central station
- Only a 5-minute walk from the tourist office
- Bus line 2 stops at the door
Accessibility
Accessible for wheelchairs. Not accessible for larger motorised scooters. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed.
You can find more information about accessibility on this website: https://www.goldencrossdata.com/en/adress/museum-catharijne-convent
