Catharijneconvent stays open while two Utrecht galleries are closed
The museum of Christian heritage presents an exhibition by Henk Helmantel; two galleries on the city’s history are closed for renovation.
Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrecht occupies a late medieval monastery complex. According to its website, the Carmelites began building it in 1468; in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the building was used as a hospital. Today, the building and collection together introduce visitors to Christian heritage in the Netherlands.
According to the museum, the collection includes medieval and Renaissance sculpture, church textiles, manuscripts, early printed books, paintings, gold and silverwork, and religious objects. On its permanent display page, the museum highlights the Middle Rhine altarpiece and a large statue of St Christopher. The permanent collection remains an important part of a visit alongside temporary exhibitions.
Not every permanent gallery is accessible. The museum says two galleries about Utrecht’s history have been closed for renovation since 21 October 2024. The other galleries and exhibitions remain open while preparations for a larger renovation continue. No start date has yet been set for that project.
According to the museum’s programme, Henk Helmantel. In een nieuw licht runs from 25 September 2026 through 17 January 2027. The museum brings his realistic still lifes into dialogue with medieval sculptures from his private collection and the Catharijneconvent collection.
The House of Sinterklaas is scheduled for 14 November through 5 December 2026. According to the programme, the nativity scene follows from 12 December 2026 through 6 January 2027. Visitors on 14 October will not yet be able to see either of these attractions.
The museum is at Lange Nieuwstraat 38, 3512 PH Utrecht. Its website lists opening hours of 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Friday, and 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. According to the directions page, it is about an eighteen-minute walk from Utrecht Centraal station.
The ticket page lists admission for adults at €16 at the desk or €15 online. Children aged seventeen and under and Museumkaart holders enter free. According to the museum website, payment on site is by debit or credit card only. Check current gallery access and exhibition hours when planning a visit.