Union of Utrecht: the signing (starting point of the tour)
Domplein
Contributed by
John of Nassau speaking — 'Welcome all to Dom Square. Perhaps you have already noticed my statue, or are you seeing me for the first time now? Of course, I am standing here for a reason! You all know my older brother, but I would like to introduce myself to you. My name is John of Nassau and the reason I am standing here in the middle of Dom Square has to do with that which I am holding here in my right hand, the tract "the Union of Utrecht". Almost four hundred and fifty years ago, the Union of Utrecht was signed in the Chapter House of the building that stands behind me. It marked an important cooperation between the rebellious Dutch provinces in the fight against the Spaniards and it heralded the Netherlands as we know it today. During this tour through downtown Utrecht, the story of the creation of the Union of Utrecht will be told by me, and by my two contemporaries Dirk Cater and Trijn van Leemput. Have a good time and see you later!"
On Jan. 23, 1579, the Union of Utrecht was signed, here in the chapter house of the Dom Cathedral. Nowadays, this is the auditorium of the Academy Building. In the middle of the Dom Square you will find the initiator of the Union of Utrecht: John of Nassau, the younger brother of William of Orange. He was the first to sign the agreement between the northern provinces and a number of cities that jointly resisted the Spanish occupation. The treaty was primarily a military alliance between rebellious Dutch regions. Together they established a number of important things in the areas of defense, taxation and freedom of religion. The cooperation eventually resulted in the formation of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands and even the creation of the Netherlands as we know it today. Still, it took some time before peace could be spoken of. The Union of Utrecht may have been signed, but the Eighty Years' War was not yet over.
