On the picture you see St. Martin of Tours, the patron saint of Utrecht.
How came St. Maarten to Utrecht?
Well, in the Roman period in Germany lived a German nation called the Franks.
They tried to invade Holland several times but didn’t succeed.
After the Romans left Holland the invasion was successful about 476 AD.
The Franks have become Christians and started building churches in their empire.
So also in Utrecht, on the place where now the Dom Square is, by king Dagobert I in 630 AD.
The church was devoted to Saint Martin, the most important Saint of the Franks.
From that moment on you see everywhere sculptures or colours, that remind of Saint Martin, in Utrecht.
This sculpture is to be seen above the door of the Kloostergang from the Dom square side, and was lighted up during the Europa Cantate choir festival 2009.
How came St. Maarten to Utrecht?
Well, in the Roman period in Germany lived a German nation called the Franks.
They tried to invade Holland several times but didn’t succeed.
After the Romans left Holland the invasion was successful about 476 AD.
The Franks have become Christians and started building churches in their empire.
So also in Utrecht, on the place where now the Dom Square is, by king Dagobert I in 630 AD.
The church was devoted to Saint Martin, the most important Saint of the Franks.
From that moment on you see everywhere sculptures or colours, that remind of Saint Martin, in Utrecht.
This sculpture is to be seen above the door of the Kloostergang from the Dom square side, and was lighted up during the Europa Cantate choir festival 2009.
