Utrecht, Leidsche Rijn, Vleuten

The Catholic Church loved and loves splendour and opulently decorated houses of worship. For hundreds of years, therefore, she was the main commissioner for artists and craftsmen. In the city of Utrecht, home to a bishop, this led to countless churches full of paintings, tapestries, statues, coppersmiths and goldsmiths' work. And goldsmithing, they could do that in Utrecht. Until the eighteenth century, church utensils like chalices, monstrances and fonts were made by hand in large workshops, mostly in silver. The nobility and wealthy citizens bought jewellery and smaller utensils, often made of gold and precious stones.

With the advent of the steam engine, these workshops turned into factories. They produced both pieces cheaper and in hefty quantities. Goldsmithing thus became affordable to a much larger public. In Utrecht's city centre, legendary manufacturing companies like Brom, van Roosmalen and Noyons flourished well into the 20th century. But with a declining number of believers, churches had less and less to spend, and the production of jewellery and small utensils was moved to low-wage countries. The large Utrecht workshops eventually had to close.

Now, in the 21st century, consumers are again looking for unique, handmade jewellery made of gold, silver, precious stones and sometimes new metals like titanium. They find these in smaller workshops scattered around the city. Things have come full circle: artisan silversmiths are back.

Much of the vast amounts of church silver and gold in Utrecht have been melted down over the centuries. What is left is no longer up for grabs on altars or in an easily accessible sacristy for safety reasons. At the beginning of this cycle route, however, you can go and see them in the Treasury of the Catharijneconvent. At the end, after a ride through the wonderfully beautiful Maximapark in Leidsche Rijn district, you can enjoy the beautiful premises of the Dutch Mint, where silversmiths and engravers made coins for countries from all over the world until 2020. And just a few steps aside from the route, if their shutters are open, you can check out the shop windows of a number of contemporary goldsmiths. Or, should you be led into temptation, step inside and try out if any of their wares suit you.


This Premium cycle route was compiled by our editor: Wilmie Geurtjens