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Maastricht has always been walled and fortified from Roman times until 1867. It started with the first fortifications in Roman times around the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein, then new fortifications and city walls followed in the Middle Ages and between the 16th and 19th centuries, external works were built to protect the city even better against enemies. Due to the favorable location of Maastricht on the Maas, the city was an important fortified and garrison city for centuries. In 1867 it was decided that the fortifications no longer had any function and therefore large parts of the works were demolished. Only one city gate remained of the many gates and parts of the city walls, towers, bastions and some outworks have been preserved. If you look at these buildings, you get a bit of an idea of what a fortified city like Maastricht used to look like. Walk between the remains of turbulent times and let yourself be taken back to the past.