PAST EXHIBITION

Ommuurde Stad

History of a city's defences

How do you protect a city? How do you make sure everyone can feel safe? The fortified city. History of a City’s Defenses explores the age-old quest for safety and the defensive role of city walls. 

In addition to many remarkable paintings (including some loan pieces never exhibited before by Herman Saftleven, Joost Cornelisz Droochsloot and Salomon van Ruysdael), as well as medieval miniatures, drawings and age-old weaponry, the exhibition also presents a number of specially made 3D reconstructions and animations.

How they were built, how they were manned, the sieges that took place and the impact on citizens’ lives: all this and more is explored in the fascinating story of Utrecht’s defensive works, which existed from 1122 to around 1830. The story of course includes the changes that were made to the works, especially in the sixteenth century, their demolition in the nineteenth century, and their continued significance today.

A number of specialists have been asked to link the past to the present, including historian Beatrice de Graaf, the Nation's Philosopher Daan Roovers, and the Dutch Chief of Defence, Rob Bauer. Urban planner Zef Hemel explores the relationship between the number of women that live and work in a modern city, and the levels of prosperity and safety.

Women breaking down walls
Inspired by Trijn van Leemput who, in 1577, took the lead to demolish the hated Vredenburg Castle, the exhibition includes the portraits and stories of ten Utrecht women who are each devoted to breaking down walls today, albeit metaphorically. The photographs are by Silver Camera Award winner Ilvy Njiokiktjien (Utrecht, 1984). After the exhibition, the portraits will travel to various neighbourhoods of Utrecht.

Image: Natalja, Centraal Museum Utrecht / © Ilvy Njiokiktjien

Films in the exhibition
In four short films, our four specialists as mentioned above, respond to the various themes addressed in the exhibition and discuss their relevance for today.

You want to see more? Click here for an overview of the films

Catapult in the museum garden
An enormous medieval catapult (or ‘trebuchet’) is mounted in the museum garden.
These massive devices were used during sieges to hurl heavy stones and burning bundles of wood into the city, to force the city to surrender. The catapult on display broke a world record in 2004, when it shot a bowling ball over a distance of 412 metres. For a timelapse movie, click here

Image trebuchet: Centraal Museum Utrecht/  © Herman de Kuijer

Halt! What’s the password?
Children’s book author Linda Dielemans created a scavenger hunt for children aged 7 to 12 in which they must find the right password to enter the city tower.
Those who can present the right password are given a special treat in the museum café.

Exhibition design: De Vrijer Van Dongen