Utrecht Central

In the heart of Utrecht, in a place with a special history, stands Utrecht Centraal. Where travellers now hurriedly catch their trains, Utrecht's first railway station was once located, in 1843. This station, much smaller than the current one, stood on a piece of land with a macabre background: it used to be a graveyard for criminals and suicides.

Today, Utrecht Centraal is one of the most important hubs in the Netherlands. With around 900 trains racing along its tracks every day, it is a hub of activity. The station has grown so much that it now welcomes or waves goodbye to 88 million travellers a year, making it one of the busiest stations in the country.

Modern Utrecht Centraal, which opened its doors in 1983, is a world away from its 19th-century predecessor. Designed by Dutch architect Riek Brouwer, it is a paragon of modern architecture. The glass entrance hall and steel trusses supporting the roof make it a striking structure. At an impressive cost of some 420 million euros, this project symbolises Utrecht's progress and growth.

Besides being a place for travel, the station also provides space for art and culture. Various works of art adorn the halls, allowing travellers to escape the hustle and bustle for a while and enjoy creative expression.

So Utrecht Centraal is much more than just a station. It is a place with a rich history, a hub of activity and a crossroads where millions of lives intersect every year. A place where new stories begin every day.