Paleis Lofen

Did you know a hidden imperial palace lies beneath Utrecht? 900 years ago, the course of Dutch history changes here. A fire destroyed the palace and its memory was lost. However, the remains can still be found – concealed in cellars beneath the modern city. Step back in time to medieval Utrecht and wander beneath the arches of Lofen Palace. In the Middle Ages, Utrecht was part of the Holy Roman Empire. This was a gigantic empire that stretched over much of Europe. To rule this empire, the emperor traveled from palace to palace. Also in Utrecht stood one of his palaces, called Lofen. On 2 June 1122 Emperor Henry V granted Utrecht city rights. One of the charters states: 'Data in palacio imperatoris in Traiecto, quod vulgor Lofen dicitur', or issued in the imperial palace in Utrecht, which is popularly called Lofen. But obtaining the city rights was not without a struggle. Lofen Palace was probably destroyed during a major nine-day city fire in 1253. The palace is no longer used as such after that. The location then becomes the property of the chapter of the Dom Church. For centuries, the remains of Lofen Palace have been hidden and forgotten. The palace was 'discovered' again in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. You can now be part of the rediscovery