Editing Utrecht (section)

====Religious buildings====
Several churches and monasteries were built inside, or close to, the city of Utrecht. The most dominant of these was the [[Cathedral of Saint Martin, Utrecht|Cathedral of Saint Martin]], inside the old Roman fortress. The construction of the present [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] building was begun in 1254 after an earlier [[Romanesque architecture|romanesque]] construction had been badly damaged by fire. The [[Choir (architecture)|choir]] and [[transept]] were finished from 1320 and were followed then by the ambitious [[Dom Tower of Utrecht|Dom tower]].<ref name="20eUtrecht"/> The last part to be constructed was the central [[nave]], from 1420. By that time, however, the age of the great cathedrals had come to an end and declining finances prevented the ambitious project from being finished, the construction of the central nave being suspended before the planned [[flying buttress]]es could be finished.<ref name="20eUtrecht"/>
Besides the cathedral there were four [[collegiate church]]es in Utrecht: [[St. Salvator's Church]] (demolished in the 16th century), on the Dom square, dating back to the early 8th century.<ref>{{cite book |last=Stöver |first=R.J. |title=De Salvator- of Oudmunsterkerk te Utrecht, Stichtingsmonument van het bisdom Utrecht |language=nl |year=1997 |location=Utrecht}}</ref> Saint [[John the Baptist|John]] (Janskerk), originating in 1040;<ref>{{cite web |title=Janskerk Informatie |url=http://www.janskerkutrecht.nl/ |access-date=6 January 2008 |archive-date=30 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230083733/http://www.janskerkutrecht.nl/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Pieterskerk, Utrecht|Saint Peter]], building started in 1039<ref>{{cite web |title=Sint Pieterskerk Utrecht |url=http://www.planetware.com/utrecht/st-pieterskerk-nl-ut-piet.htm |access-date=5 January 2008 |archive-date=3 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303170005/http://www.planetware.com/utrecht/st-pieterskerk-nl-ut-piet.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Saint Mary]]'s church building started around 1090 (demolished in the early 19th century, cloister survives).<ref>{{cite book |last=Haverkate |first=H.M. |title=Een kerk van papier. De geschiedenis van de voormalige Mariakerk te Utrecht |language=nl |year=1985 |location=Zutphen, the Netherlands}}</ref>
Besides these churches, the city housed [[St. Paul's Abbey, Utrecht|St. Paul's Abbey]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Broer |first=C.J.C. |title=Uniek in de stad. De oudste geschiedenis van de kloostergemeenschap op de Hohorst sinds 1050 de Sint-Paulusabdij te Utrecht |language=nl |year=2000 |location=Utrecht}}</ref> the 15th-century [[Begijnhof, Utrecht|beguinage of St. Nicholas]], and a 14th-century chapter house of the [[Teutonic Knights]].<ref name="Karel V">{{cite web |title=Karel V |language=nl |url=http://www.karelv.nl/ |access-date=6 January 2008 |archive-date=17 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217220152/http://www.karelv.nl/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Besides these buildings which belonged to the bishopric, an additional four [[parish church]]es were constructed in the city: the [[Jacobikerk]] ([[James, son of Zebedee|dedicated to Saint James]]), founded in the 11th century, with the current Gothic church dating back to the 14th century;<ref>{{cite web |title=Jacobikerk |url=http://www.jacobikerk.nl/ |access-date=6 January 2008 |archive-date=9 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109205733/http://www.jacobikerk.nl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the Buurkerk (Neighbourhood-church) of the 11th-century parish in the centre of the city; Nicolaichurch (dedicated to [[Saint Nicholas]]), from the 12th century,<ref>{{cite web |title=Nicolaikerk |url=http://www.nicolaikerk.nl/ |access-date=6 January 2008 |archive-date=24 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224223244/http://www.nicolaikerk.nl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the 13th-century Geertekerk (dedicated to Saint [[Gertrude of Nivelles]]).<ref>{{cite web |title=Geertekerk – Remonstrantse Gemeente Utrecht |url=http://www.geertekerk.nl/ |access-date=6 January 2008 |archive-date=5 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205235942/http://www.geertekerk.nl/ |url-status=live }}</ref>