DOMUnder Museum, Utrecht (must see)

DOMunder opened in 2015. The museum allows visitors to explore an archeological excavation site from 1949 that goes below Dom Square.

The primary attraction is to see what remains of the ancient Roman fortification known as Trajectum--the first structure that settled the area that would later become the city of Utrecht.

Trajectum was a castellum that guarded a crossing point on the Rhine. It was built around 50 AD. At that time, it marked the northern border of the Roman Empire. It was a simple wooden structure built to protect from raids made by northern tribes.

The Romans abandoned Trajectum sometime around 270 AD, but the city continued to build up in the area. In the seventh century, a church was built on the site. Over the years, larger churches were added and rebuilt.

Dom Church, in its present form, was begun in 1254. It was built on the foundations of those prior churches and the castellum. Evidence of these historic layers can be seen while touring the DOMunder exhibits.

Admission to the DOMunder museum also includes Dom Tower and the Dom Church tours.