The provincial capital of Maastricht is located in the south of the province of Limburg. The atmospheric city center where Burgundian life is central has an enormous attraction for tourists from home and abroad. The hotel offer is therefore mainly aimed at city trippers who come to Maastricht to enjoy a few days. This has resulted in a number of special hotels that alone are worth coming to the deep south for. Culinary gems such as Beluga and NxtDoor complete the city.
Top 10 sights of Maastricht
#1. Basilica of Saint Servatius
This imposing basilica was built on the grave of Saint Servatius, the first bishop of Maastricht. Since 1985, the church has received the name basilica from Pope John Paul II. The last renovations and restorations took place around 1980. The inside is just as impressive as the outside suggests. The beautiful windows with the bishops of Maastricht incorporated are phenomenal. The organs and amount of bells make this basilica very special. Sometimes on special days, hand sounds songs are performed by the special whistleblower guild.
#2. Town Hall
According to Whichever Meanings, the Dutch architect and painter Pieter Post designed the charming town hall on the Markt. He even chose the location on the Markt as the best address. The Mauritshuis in The Hague and the Royal Palace on Dam Square in Amsterdam are also to his name. Due to the demolition of the Belfry and parts of the city wall, the Market of Maastricht was created as a square square.
#3. Helpoort
This leg from 1229 is the oldest city gate in the Netherlands. After obtaining city rights, Maastricht felt compelled to protect itself as a city. This was done by means of a city wall and associated gates. One of these is the Help Gate. The gate and its building first served as a gunpowder store and later as the home and studio of Jef Schipper. Nowadays it is part of the Maastricht Vestingstad Foundation and there are various exhibitions to admire.
#4. Vrijthof
The large St. Servaas Basilica is located on this beautiful square in Maastricht. Many saints and helpers of this former church and the nearby parish church of St. Jan used to live in the many houses around this square. Today, this square is the bustling heart of the city and regularly hosts events such as the carnival and Magical Maastricht with its famous Christmas market. The many catering establishments also provide a lot of fun. The famous Maastrichter André Rieu regularly uses the Vrijthof to give an open-air concert.
#5. Fort Sint Pieter and Sint Pietersberg
This fort on the Sint Pietersberg dates from 1701. The fort used to protect the city. The strategic location and the good view certainly helped. Today it is open to the public and you can learn more about the history of the city and its fortress. Different tours through the fortress and the marl caves below give you answers to different questions from history. The marl caves are a labyrinth of corridors that Napoleon once walked through.
#6. Bisschopsmolen
Right in the center of the bustling city of Maastricht you will find the Bisschopsmolen. Loaves are baked in a traditional way in this old and still running water mill. Various guided tours are given where you get an explanation about the mill and how you can bake a delicious fresh sandwich or delicious pie without adding E-numbers.
#7. ‘t Bassin
About 500 meters from the Markt is the old inner harbor of the city of Maastricht, which is known for its cozy restaurants. About seventy boats can moor in the cozy harbor every day. There is also an exhibition space and studio of the well-known artist and documentary maker Robert-Jan van Melle.
#8. Bonnefantenmuseum Maastricht
This beautiful museum is a very special piece of architecture, which is in the name of the Italian architect Aldo Rossi. This beautiful museum with its collection of impressive works of art is located on the industrial estate on the Maas. Works by great masters such as Van Dyck, Brueghel and Rubens can be admired, as well as beautiful contemporary art. The incidence of light obtained in a special way gives the many works of art an extraordinary extra.
#9. Castle ruins of Lichtenberg
This ancient castle is located on the eastern part of the St. Pietersberg, near the St. Pieters Museum. The construction of this castle started around 1400 on the old parts of the 10th century donjon tower. The U-shaped farmhouse was added around 1740. Due to its high location, you have a particularly good view of the Maas valley from here.
#10. Dinghuis
This stately building from the 15th century is located in the center of the city at the intersection of Muntstraat, Jodenstraat, Grote Straat and Kleine Straat. The beautiful facade with a clock and a turret above it has mainly housed legal functions. Cells for prisoners could be found in the cellars of this building. After that it was adapted as a theater and later as a student house. Nowadays you will find the local tourist office there.
