Old Canal Utrecht

The Old Canal (Oude Gracht) is a historic waterway running through the center of Utrecht, Netherlands. Known for its unique split-level design, it features picturesque wharves and cellars now converted into cafés, shops, and galleries. Stretching between the Catharijnesingel and the Weerdsluis, it offers a blend of scenic views, waterside dining, and opportunities for canal tours, making it a central attraction in the city.

Parts of this canal follow the original flow of the river Rhine and around the little canal plenty of historic buildings have been turned into shops and restaurants making it a tourist attraction with quite a buzzing atmosphere. It also has a pedestrian walkway on both sides, attached to it are the wharf cellars, these are the places used for storing and loading docks for boats. It is two kilometers long and is a level below the street level known as  'werfkelder'. It was established in the 12th century and since then it has served various purposes including transportation, facilitating trade, defense purpose and also braced the community from flooding.