After the summertime, it is now the time of autumn and winter. Maybe this time of the year is even better to experience the illuminated pieces of art which can be seen during the evening. Every Saturday there is the possibility to walk the route of Trajectum Lumen along with an experienced guide. This guide will tell you everything about the historical inner city of Utrecht and about the pieces of art. Trajectum Lumen is the perfect way to experience the inner city of Utrecht in a different way or to get to know the city better. Light is a magical thing… so be surprised!

On the evening of Thursday 11 April Queen Beatrix, accompanied by Prince Willem Alexander and Princess Maxima, will officially open the celebrations for the tricentenary of the Treaty of Utrecht by setting the Dom Tower alight. At the same time she will unveil a unique work of art by the London lighting design collective of Speirs + Major. This work, entitled In lumine tuo..., is thecentrepiece of Trajectum Lumen, the trail of artistic illumination that winds its way through Utrecht city centre, culminating every evening on the hour.

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Hereby the official Trajectum Lumen Trailer (with English subtitles): Youtube

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If you want to see all of the Trajectum Lumen light art in Utrecht, be sure to download the free Lumapp. With an Iphone or Android telephone, everyone can have their very own guide to hand. This interactive app guides visitors through Utrecht city centre and to all 18 works of light art. The app also provides information about the works of art, artists and the city itself.

Using the GPS function and a dotted line on the map, walkers can easily take in the route. The app has been expanded with interesting facts about this medieval city and participants can test their knowledge about Utrecht with the special quiz. Download the Iphone app here.

Naturally, the latest work of light art, Pausdam, which is expected to be officially opened in early March, can also be found with the Lumapp. This work of light art by artist Jan Hein Daniels and Willem Hoebink consists of two parts; a part in the Trans 10 main building and a part in Paushuize. The buildings of the university and Pausdam are illuminated using LED lighting. The light show suggests movement and the buildings seem alive. This experience is enhanced by two digital ornamental stones of an owl and a pigeon, symbolising wisdom and peace.

Trajectum Lumen is a tourist attraction and route of artworks made using light through the Utrecht city centre. Currently Trajectum Lumen consists of 18 light artworks, located in exceptional places in the city centre. They light up a number of buildings (including the City Hall), beautiful churches (among them the Janskerk and St. Willibrordkerk), bridges (the Bezembrug, Stadhuisbrug, and others) and quiet squares (Buurkerkhof). Over the coming years, 2 new works of art will be included until in 2013, during the celebration of the Peace Treaty of Utrecht, Trajectum Lumen will shine in all its beauty. All light artworks will remain visible through 2018, when Utrecht intends to be the Capital City of Culture.

The light art trail can be taken 365 evenings a year with a free route map, a trail of light drops in the ground, the free Lumapp and from September through May every Saturday evening under the supervision of a Tourist Information Office guide (€ 10.00 per person). You can book at VVV Utrecht through [email protected] or by telephone: +31 30 236 0004

Light art that connects the Dom Tower with the Domkerk (Cathedral) from 2013 to 2018. With this proposal, light artists Mark Major and Keith Bradshaw from the London-based agency Speirs & Major have been commissioned to create a definitive design. The light design is a part of the light art route Trajectum Lumen. The celebratory unveiling of this artwork is planned for 11 April 2013, during the opening of the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Utrecht.

Of three proposals submitted, the selection committee of Trajectum Lumen described the light design by Mark Major and Keith Bradshaw as the most original. On behalf of the board, the Alderman of City Promotions Mirjam de Rijk approved this choice on 7 November last. The work will be ready at the end of 2012 and will be opened in a celebratory fashion on 11 April 2013, at the launch of 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Utrecht.  

Play of light around the carillon.
The design respects both the tower and the Domkerk and the place these two monuments occupy in the city and in the hearts and minds of the people of Utrecht. In addition, it is a modest design that finishes with a play of light around the carillon that will be seen and heard every fifteen minutes, according to the selection committee. The committee had asked three artists to submit a design. The artwork is financed with the EFRO funds (European subsidy) made available for Trajectum Lumen. The overall budget for design and realisation of the artwork is  €700,000. A digital animation of the design for the Dom tower can be seen on the website of the artist Speirs & Major.

Trajectum Lumen
Trajectum Lumen is a tourist attraction and route of artworks made using light through the Utrecht city centre. The objective of Trajectum Lumen is to give Utrecht a unique night attraction to encourage visitors to the city to remain there in the evenings and overnight. Currently Trajectum Lumen consists of 18 light artworks, located in exceptional places in the city centre. They light up a number of buildings (including the City Hall), beautiful churches (among them the Janskerk and St. Willibrordkerk), bridges (the Bezembrug, Stadhuisbrug, and others) and quiet squares (Buurkerkhof). All light artworks will remain visible through 2018, when Utrecht intends to be the Capital City of Culture.

Finally, the nights are becoming longer and darker. Just four more nights to go and we’ll be back in wintertime. I’m looking forward to set back all church clocks with one hour on Saturday night personally. Trajectum Lumen will shine in full effect! I can’t wait to roam about the city centre soon this winter, crossing squares, snooping alongside the canals. And maybe I will even hear the crunch of fresh snow underneath my shadow feet. Trajectum Lumen’s light will be reflected by this white blanket on all streets, which city might ever be able to compete with that?

I’d like to take all of you on tour to show you this phenomenon, but unfortunately my time is very limited. Instead, one of the city’s guides could take you along. I’ve shared a lot of inside knowledge and trivia with them. All are ready to introduce you into my world! They can tell you all tales and stories about artworks, artists and what happened in all those dark and busy nights that Utrecht lived through in the past. And this is possible every saturday. .