A Stroll in Downtown Vianen, Utrecht
A Stroll in Downtown Vianen, Utrecht
Despite the rain, my friend, her granddaughter, and I walked with her granddaughter in Vianen, Utrecht. Due to the heavy rainfall and the warm weather, nature had exploded, and fresh Spring colors of green, yellow, and purple were abundant everywhere.
Vianen is located south of the Lek River. It is a town that received city rights in 1337. This medieval history of Vianen is clearly visible today, such as the remnants of the 13th-century city wall. This medieval defensive wall once surrounded the entire town and was originally about 1.5 miles long with about 12 gates and 7 bastions. In the 17th and 18th centuries, parts of the wall were demolished, and only a few sections remain today as historic landmarks.
The Horse of Vianen is a bronze sculpture located downtown, and the horse is a tribute to the town’s long history of horse trading. The Horse Market’s centuries-old tradition still takes place every year on the Wednesday before the second Thursday of October.
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The “Lekpoort” (Lek Gate) is the only remaining city gate of Vianen. Together with the East Gate and the Land Gate, this gate formed the access road to the walled inner city until the 19th century. In the 14th century, this gate was a simple rectangular passageway with two towers. Around 1500 it was replaced by the current two-story high entrance.
Date
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Distance
2.29 miles
3.69 km
Moving Time
0:57:47
hours
Weather
14 °C,
light rain, light breeze