Free audio walk in Utrecht
World War II in Utrecht
- 62 min
- 3.7 km
- 9 stops
- Free
Starts at Museumlaan 2
About this walk
Utrecht still bears the traces of the Second World War. Behind facades, in narrow streets and on public squares lie stories of resistance, oppression, and – finally – liberation. This route takes you past places that recall dark times, but also the resilience of the city and its people. You’ll walk past hiding places, sites of resistance, bombing scars, and monuments to those who gave their lives. You’ll also discover where the city celebrated its liberation, how daily life slowly returned, and how Utrecht continues to remember its past. Set out and experience Utrecht’s story of war and freedom – a story that must never be forgotten.
The stops
Walk them in order; each story plays when you reach its pin.
- 1Stop 1
The start of the WOII route
Right where you're standing, thousands of people once crowded the street in tears of relief, waiting for the soldiers who would finally set them free.
- 2Stop 2
The Maliebaan
This elegant boulevard has a past far darker and more daring than its leafy appearance suggests.
Read the story - 3
- 4Stop 4
Utrecht's Liberation Babies
When the liberators arrived in Utrecht, the mayor quickly realized that freedom can be a little too much of a good thing.
Read the story - 5Stop 5
Anton Mussert
The building you're standing in front of once served as the nerve center of the most controversial political movement in Dutch history.
Read the story - 6Stop 6
Bunker Wilhelminapark
The small concrete structure in front of you has been hiding secrets since the darkest years.
Read the story - 7Stop 7
Kindjeshaven
The ice cream parlor you're standing in front of was once the unlikely hiding place for over 150 Jewish children during the darkest years of the war.
Read the story - 8Stop 8
The Rosarium Ambush
On the very day Utrecht was liberated, ten men who had survived the entire war were killed in a matter of seconds.
Read the story - 9Stop 9
The End of This Route
The streets around you look ordinary today, but decades ago they were the stage for one of the most emotional days this city has ever known.
Ready when you are
Walk World War II in Utrecht with ROODS.
9 stops through Utrecht, about 62 minutes. Open ROODS in your browser, walk to the first pin and the story plays.
- Stories on a map, with narrated audio
- Walk at your own pace, stop where you like
- Runs in your browser. An app is optional.
