Enjoy the south of the Netherlands

Maastricht is the Dutch pearl of the south. This delightful city is located at the foot of Sint-Pietersberg, on both banks of the Maas. The city was founded around the year 1000 because there was a ford here, also known as'tricht\\\', in the Maas.

Maastricht is home to violinist André Rieu, as is very prominently indicated on the VVV page, but there is of course much more than the annual concerts that Rieu gives at the Vrijthof. From the parking lot you walk over the Wilhelmina Bridge towards the center of Maastricht. In the middle of the Wilhelmina Bridge you have to look to the left where you can see the famous arch bridge, the Sint Servaes, in the distance. This is connected to the Wilhelmina Bridge by a boat quay. You almost immediately arrive at the Markt over the bridge. The town hall immediately catches the eye on this pleasant square with catering establishments all around. The town hall is located in the middle of the Markt and has a rich, largely 18th-century interior. The building was designed by Pieter Post and is considered an important example of Dutch classicism.

Walking along the Grote Gracht you will pass the faculty buildings of the University of Maastricht on your right. Behind it, on the Brusselsestraat, which you just don't get to, is a beautiful hidden gem: the Cellebroederskapel. Take a short trip to the right at the end of the Grote Gracht.

Hidden behind a monumental gate in the facade of Brusselsestraat number 58 lies a domain of silence. Under the gate, a straight path leads to the beautiful chapel of the Celle Brothers. Formerly part of a large monastic complex, now comprising the chapel itself, a reception room, upper hall and courtyard. The walk does not cross the well-known Vrijthof. But of course you can look around on your own. Then take a left at the end of the Grote Gracht. The old Catholic Maastricht has countless street names that refer to the Roman monastic period, such as the Abtstraat. Via this road you walk into the Jekerkwartier. A picturesque part of Maastricht, named after the river Jeker. Time seems to have stood still here. The Jekerkwartier consists largely of 17th and 18th century houses, often on medieval foundations. The street plan is also largely medieval. The district has numerous monuments. At the Academieplein you will find the Bonnefanten Monastery, which belongs to the University of Maastricht but does have a visitor center. The Maastricht Natural History Museum is located in the former monastery complex of the Grauwzusters on De Bosquetplein. The museum is best known for its unique collection of Cretaceous Fossils in the Netherlands.

You walk along parts of the medieval city wall with historic ramparts such as the Pater Vincktoren and city gates such as De Reek. The Leeuwenmolen on the Nieuwenhofstraat is a beautiful, flawless watermill in the Jeker from 1694. The Bisschopsmolen, located a little further away, is even older. This water mill may date from the seventh century. The restored mill is still functioning and is used for grinding spelt. The old Minnebroederskerk on Sint-Pieterstraat is also worth mentioning. The church from the late 13th/early 14th century is built of marl stones. Via the Sint Pieterstraat you leave the picturesque Jekerkwartier again, but soon come across the umpteenth monumental church: the Basilica of Our Lady or also Sterre-der-Zee. The largely medieval building, the Romanesque architectural sculpture, the church furnishings and the art-historical collection in the treasury are among the major tourist attractions of Maastricht.

Over the beautiful arched bridge that you could already see from a distance at the start of this walk, you then go to the other bank of the Maas. You can walk to the central station through the beautiful shopping streets. Even if you are not by train, this building is well worth a visit. It was built in 1913, in Maasland Renaissance style, to a design by George van Heukelom. The showpiece of the station are the stained glass windows in the station hall. The original windows by Jan Schouten were lost in the Second World War, but in 1962 new windows were offered by the municipalities along the Maastricht - Weert and Maastricht - Heerlen railway line. These windows, made by Charles Eyk, symbolize the (then) 11 provinces and contain Limburg municipal arms. And then you are also right back at the parking lot where this walk started. We hope you enjoyed this introduction to Maastricht and look forward to seeing you again!