Enjoy a tour through Maastricht

Cycling through the heart of Maastricht, along the riverbank and over the Maasboulevard, is a great experience. Here you can taste the atmosphere of the capital of Limburg and it becomes clear why Maastricht is known as one of the most pleasant cities in the Netherlands.

The hike across the hilly plateau in the south of the municipality of Maastricht is a challenge. The Sint-Pietersberg is mainly known for the Limburg marl that is extracted there and the tunnel systems have become a real tourist attraction. On and against the mountain are beautiful forts and castles, which revive old times and atmospheres. The longest hiking trail in the Netherlands starts (or ends) at the top of the Sint-Pietersberg. The museum'Maison de la Montagne Saint-Pierre\\\' is the ideal place to get acquainted with the unique Sint-Pietersberg with an interactive and permanent exhibition.

During your bike ride you will pass through Sint-Anthoniusbank for example. Approximately 40 houses form the development of the hamlet. In the hamlet many historical elements can be found, if you know where to look. Despite the small scale you can find two closed square farms, but also a monumental farm that despite the nineteenth century construction dates from the seventeenth century, a former monastery in which apartments have been made and an old farm with remains of a square tower and a covered well.

On the way, also stop at the Lombok Mill in the Sint Pieter district of Maastricht. The mid-stroke mill originally dates from around 1500 and was built on the left bank of the Jeker, a branch of the Maas. There used to be two mill buildings made of marl; one was used as a grain mill, the other as an oil mill. Only the grain mill still has an iron mill wheel from 1937. This building, which remained in operation until 1960, is therefore still referred to as 'the Lombok mill'.

In Eijsden there is the castle of the same name, which is also called'de Borg\\\' or'Laag Caestertburg\\\'. The current castle was built in 1636, rebuilt in 1767 and then restored. This national monument consists of two wings at right angles to each other, both with a heavy corner tower on the outside. The whole is surrounded by a moat and at the castle there is a gatehouse with forecourt. The park, which was laid out in 1900, is freely accessible.

In Libeek, get off your bike to admire the castle. Until 2011, Libeek, or Liebik as the Limburgers call it, was part of Margraten. The town was founded in the thirteenth century and the Libeek farm is located in the town, the oldest parts of which also date from the thirteenth century. There used to be a knightly house on this site, but after the castle changed owners in the sixteenth century, the fortress was gradually converted into a leasehold farm. Libeek has the largest Limburg farm that stands around a square courtyard and the house, which is built of marlstone, was built and improved in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Past Sibbe, at the height of Wolfshuis, there is a belt mill from 1855: the Van Tienhovenmolen. What is special about this mill is that it is the only mill in the Netherlands that is largely built from marlstone. The high place where the mill was eventually built was favourable because of the wind catch. From whichever side you approach the mill, it is always visible from far away.