The last remaining self-contained post office in the Netherlands is on the Neude square in Utrecht, and it's open for the last time today.
The Dutch Postal Service, privatized in the 1980s/90s, made the decision to close down all self contained post offices in 2008 in an effort to reduce costs. Customer service has since been moved to in-store locations at grocery stores, bookstores and convenience stores.
The last remaining post office in The Netherlands is arguably one of the most beautiful ones. The building was designed by Dutch architect Joseph Crouwel and incorporates elements from both the playful Amsterdamse School style that was predominant in social housing architecture in 1920s Amsterdam, as well as the more rational, linear style the dominates Berlage's well known public building designs.
The building is probably best known for its interior, though. Its impressive domed hall measures about 100x50ft. Natural light comes in through the dome which is constructed of parabolic brick arches interspersed with glass. The intricate interior details, with glazed brick, marble and specially designed benches, fixtures and signage, lend the hall a unique aesthetic and atmosphere.
But what are you waiting for? If you're within 100 miles of Utrecht and haven't been there, you should go for a visit right now. After tomorrow, the building is going to be closed to the public and undergo years of redevelopment into - predictably - retail space, restaurants and a hotel. I venture to say that will do the building no favors (compare a similar repurposing of a former post office in Amsterdam).
Photos by indigo_jones
26 października 2011 zostanie zamknięta ostatnia samodzielna poczta w Holandii znajdująca się przy placu Neude w Utrechcie.

Holenderska Poczta sprywatyzowana w latach 80. i 90. XX wieku postanowiła w 2008 zamknąć wszystkie swoje placówki, by zredukować koszty działalności. Obsługę klientów przejęły punkty pocztowe w drogeriach, księgarniach i sklepach spożywczych.