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Maastricht

From Wikipedia, in a visual modern way
Maastricht
Mestreech (Limburgish)
City and municipality
River Meuse in winter
River Meuse in winter
Town Hall by night
Town Hall by night
Sidewalk cafés at Onze Lieve Vrouweplein
Sidewalk cafés at Onze Lieve Vrouweplein
Saint Servatius Bridge
Saint Servatius Bridge
Our Lady, Star of the Sea chapel
Our Lady, Star of the Sea chapel
St. John's and Basilica of Saint Servatius
St. John's and St. Servatius' churches at Vrijthof square
View from Mount Saint Peter
View from Mount Saint Peter
Flag of Maastricht
Flag
Coat of arms of Maastricht
Coat of arms
Anthem: Mestreechs Volksleed
Highlighted position of Maastricht in a municipal map of Limburg
Location in Limburg
Maastricht is located in Netherlands
Maastricht
Maastricht
Location within the Netherlands
Maastricht is located in Europe
Maastricht
Maastricht
Location within Europe
Coordinates: 50°51′N 5°41′E / 50.850°N 5.683°E / 50.850; 5.683Coordinates: 50°51′N 5°41′E / 50.850°N 5.683°E / 50.850; 5.683
Country Netherlands
ProvinceLimburg
Settled≈ 50 BC
City rights1204
City HallMaastricht City Hall
Boroughs
5 districts
  • Centrum (Binnenstad, Jekerkwartier, Kommelkwartier, Statenkwartier, Boschstraatkwartier, Sint Maartenspoort, Wyck-Céramique)
  • Noordoost (Beatrixhaven, Borgharen, Itteren, Meerssenhoven, Wyckerpoort, Wittevrouwenveld, Nazareth, Limmel, Amby)
  • Zuidoost (Randwyck, Heugem, Heugemerveld, Scharn, Heer, De Heeg, Vroendaal)
  • Zuidwest (Villapark, Jekerdal, Biesland, Campagne, Wolder, Sint Pieter)
  • Noordwest (Brusselsepoort, Mariaberg, Belfort, Pottenberg, Malpertuis, Caberg, Malberg, Dousberg-Hazendans, Daalhof, Boschpoort, Bosscherveld, Frontenkwartier, Belvédère, Lanakerveld)
Government
[1]
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorAnnemarie Penn-te Strake (independent)
Area
[2]
 • Municipality60.12 km2 (23.21 sq mi)
 • Land55.99 km2 (21.62 sq mi)
 • Water4.13 km2 (1.59 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
49 m (161 ft)
Population
 (Municipality, January 2021; Urban and Metro, May 2014)[4][5]
 • Municipality120,227
 • Density2,147/km2 (5,560/sq mi)
 • Urban
277,721
 • Metro
≈ 3,500,000
 Urban population for Dutch-Belgian region;[6] metropolitan population for Dutch-Belgian-German region.[7]
Demonyms(Dutch) Maastrichtenaar;
(Limb.) Mestreechteneer or "Sjeng" (nickname)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
6200–6229
Area code043
Websitewww.maastricht.nl
For the treaty signed in Maastricht in 1992, see Maastricht Treaty.

Maastricht (/ˈmɑːstrɪxt/ MAH-strikht, US also /mɑːˈstrɪxt/ mah-STRIKHT,[8][9][10] Dutch: [maːˈstrɪxt] (listen); Limburgish: Mestreech [məˈstʀeːç]; French: Maestricht (archaic); Spanish: Mastrique (archaic)) is a city and a municipality in the southeastern Netherlands. It is the capital and largest city of the province of Limburg. Maastricht is located on both sides of the Meuse (Dutch: Maas), at the point where the Jeker joins it. Mount Saint Peter (Sint-Pietersberg) is largely situated within the city's municipal borders. Maastricht is adjacent to the border with Belgium and is part of the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, an international metropolis with a population of about 3.9 million, which includes the nearby German and Belgian cities of Aachen, Liège and Hasselt.

Maastricht developed from a Roman settlement (Trajectum ad Mosam) to a medieval river trade and religious centre. In the 16th century it became a garrison town and in the 19th century an early industrial centre.[11] Today, the city is a thriving cultural and regional hub. It became well known through the Maastricht Treaty and as the birthplace of the euro.[12] Maastricht has 1677 national heritage buildings (rijksmonumenten), the second highest number in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam. The city is visited by tourists for shopping and recreation, and has a large international student population.

Discover more about Maastricht related topics

American English

American English

American English, sometimes called United States English or U.S. English, is the set of varieties of the English language native to the United States. English is the most widely spoken language in the United States and in most circumstances is the de facto common language used in government, education and commerce. Since the 20th century, American English has become the most influential form of English worldwide.

French language

French language

French is a Romance language of the Indo-European family. It descended from the Vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire, as did all Romance languages. French evolved from Gallo-Romance, the Latin spoken in Gaul, and more specifically in Northern Gaul. Its closest relatives are the other langues d'oïl—languages historically spoken in northern France and in southern Belgium, which French (Francien) largely supplanted. French was also influenced by native Celtic languages of Northern Roman Gaul like Gallia Belgica and by the (Germanic) Frankish language of the post-Roman Frankish invaders. Today, owing to France's past overseas expansion, there are numerous French-based creole languages, most notably Haitian Creole. A French-speaking person or nation may be referred to as Francophone in both English and French.

City

City

A city is a human settlement of notable size. It can be defined as a permanent and densely settled place with administratively defined boundaries whose members work primarily on non-agricultural tasks. Cities generally have extensive systems for housing, transportation, sanitation, utilities, land use, production of goods, and communication. Their density facilitates interaction between people, government organisations and businesses, sometimes benefiting different parties in the process, such as improving efficiency of goods and service distribution.

Capital city

Capital city

A capital city or capital is the municipality holding primary status in a country, state, province, department, or other subnational entity, usually as its seat of the government. A capital is typically a city that physically encompasses the government's offices and meeting places; the status as capital is often designated by its law or constitution. In some jurisdictions, including several countries, different branches of government are in different settlements. In some cases, a distinction is made between the official (constitutional) capital and the seat of government, which is in another place.

Limburg (Netherlands)

Limburg (Netherlands)

Limburg is the southernmost of the twelve provinces of the Netherlands. It is bordered by Gelderland to the north and by North Brabant to its west. Its long eastern boundary forms the international border with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. To the west is the international border with the similarly named Belgian province of Limburg, part of which is delineated by the river Meuse. The Vaalserberg is on the extreme southeastern point, marking the tripoint of the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

Dutch language

Dutch language

Dutch is a West Germanic language spoken by about 25 million people as a first language and 5 million as a second language. It is the third most widely spoken Germanic language, after its close relatives German and English. Afrikaans is a separate but somewhat mutually intelligible daughter language spoken, to some degree, by at least 16 million people, mainly in South Africa and Namibia, evolving from the Cape Dutch dialects of Southern Africa. The dialects used in Belgium and in Suriname, meanwhile, are all guided by the Dutch Language Union.

Jeker

Jeker

The Jeker is a river in Belgium and in the Netherlands. It is a left-bank tributary to the river Meuse. The source of the Jeker is near the village of Geer, in the Belgian province of Liège. The river is approximately 54 kilometres (34 mi) long, of which about 50 kilometres (31 mi) is in Belgium and 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) in the Netherlands, where it flows into the river Meuse at Maastricht (Netherlands).

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the southwest, and the North Sea to the northwest. It covers an area of 30,528 km2 (11,787 sq mi) and has a population of more than 11.5 million, making it the 22nd most densely populated country in the world and the 6th most densely populated country in Europe, with a density of 376/km2 (970/sq mi). Belgium is part of an area known as the Low Countries, historically a somewhat larger region than the Benelux group of states, as it also included parts of northern France. The capital and largest city is Brussels; other major cities are Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, Liège, Bruges, Namur, and Leuven.

Aachen

Aachen

Aachen is, with around 249,000 inhabitants, the 13th-largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia, and the 28th-largest city of Germany.

Hasselt

Hasselt

Hasselt is a Belgian city and municipality, and capital and largest city of the province of Limburg in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is known for its former branding as "the city of taste", as well as its local distelleries of Hasselt jenever (gin), the Hasselt Jenever Festivities, Limburgish pie and the Hasselt speculaas. The municipality includes the original city of Hasselt, plus the boroughs of Sint-Lambrechts-Herk, Wimmertingen, Kermt, Spalbeek, Kuringen, Stokrooie, Stevoort and Runkst, as well as the hamlets and parishes of Kiewit, Godsheide and Rapertingen.

Euro

Euro

The euro is the official currency of 20 of the 27 member states of the European Union (EU). This group of states is known as the eurozone or, officially, the euro area, and includes about 344 million citizens as of 2023. The euro is divided into 100 cents.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population of 921,402 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the urban area and 2,480,394 in the metropolitan area. Located in the Dutch province of North Holland, Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the "Venice of the North", for its large number of canals, now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History

See also: Timeline of Maastricht

Toponymy

Maastricht is mentioned in ancient documents as [Ad] Treiectinsem [urbem] ab. 575, Treiectensis in 634, Triecto, Triectu in 7th century, Triiect in 768–781, Traiecto in 945, Masetrieth in 1051.[13][14]

The place name Maastricht is an Old Dutch compound Masa- (> Maas "the Meuse river") + Old Dutch *treiekt, itself borrowed from Gallo-Romance *TRA(I)ECTU cf. its Walloon name li trek, from Classical Latin trajectus ("ford, passage, place to cross a river") with the later addition of Maas "Meuse" to avoid the confusion with the -trecht of Utrecht having exactly the same original form and etymology. The Latin name first appears in medieval documents and it is not known whether *Trajectu(s) was Maastricht's name during Roman times.

A resident of Maastricht is referred to as Maastrichtenaar whilst in the local dialect it is either Mestreechteneer or, colloquially, Sjeng (derived from the formerly popular French name Jean).

Early history

Roman sanctuary in the basement of Hotel Derlon
Roman sanctuary in the basement of Hotel Derlon

Neanderthal remains have been found to the west of Maastricht (Belvédère excavations). Of a later date are Palaeolithic remains, between 8,000 and 25,000 years old. Celts lived here around 500 BC, at a spot where the river Meuse was shallow and therefore easy to cross.

It is not known when the Romans arrived in Maastricht, nor whether the settlement was founded by them. The Romans built a bridge across the Meuse in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Augustus Caesar. The bridge was an important link in the main road between Bavay and Cologne. Roman Maastricht was relatively small. Remains of the Roman road, the bridge, a religious shrine, a Roman bath, a granary, some houses and the 4th-century castrum walls and gates, have been excavated. Fragments of provincial Roman sculptures, as well as coins, jewelry, glass, pottery and other objects from Roman Maastricht are on display in the exhibition space of the city's public library (Centre Céramique).

According to legend, the Armenian-born Saint Servatius, Bishop of Tongeren, died in Maastricht in 384 where he was interred along the Roman road, outside the castrum. According to Gregory of Tours it was bishop Monulph who around 570 built the first stone church on the grave of Servatius, a precursor of the present-day Basilica of Saint Servatius. The city remained an early Christian diocese until it lost the distinction to nearby Liège in the 8th or 9th century.

Middle Ages

The 12th-century Keizerzaal or Emperor's Hall in the westwork of the Basilica of Saint Servatius
The 12th-century Keizerzaal or Emperor's Hall in the westwork of the Basilica of Saint Servatius

In the early Middle Ages Maastricht, along with Aachen and Liège, formed part of what is considered the heartland of the Carolingian dynasty. At this time, the town was an important centre for river trade and manufacturing. Merovingian coins minted in Maastricht have been found throughout Europe. In 881 the town was plundered by the Vikings. In the 10th century it briefly became the capital of the duchy of Lower Lorraine.

During the 11th and 12th centuries the town flourished culturally. Several provosts of the chapter of Saint Servatius held important positions in the Holy Roman Empire. The two collegiate churches were largely rebuilt and redecorated during this era. Maastricht Romanesque stone sculpture and silversmithing are regarded as highlights of Mosan art. Maastricht painters were praised by Wolfram von Eschenbach in his Parzival. Around the same time, the poet Henric van Veldeke wrote a legend of Saint Servatius, one of the earliest works in Dutch literature. The two main churches acquired a wealth of relics and the septennial Maastricht Pilgrimage became a major event that drew up to 100,000 pilgrims.

Unlike most Dutch towns, Maastricht did not receive city rights at a certain date. These gradually developed during its long history. In 1204 the city's dual authority was formalised in a treaty, with the prince-bishop of Liège and the duke of Brabant holding joint sovereignty over the city. Soon afterwards the first ring of medieval walls were built. In 1275, the old Roman bridge collapsed under the weight of a procession, allegedly killing 400 people. A replacement bridge, funded by church indulgences, was built slightly to the north and survives until today, the Sint Servaasbrug.[15]

Throughout the Middle Ages, the city remained a centre for trade and manufacturing principally of wool and leather but gradually economic decline set in. After a brief period of economic prosperity around 1500, the city's economy suffered during the wars of religion of the 16th and 17th centuries, and recovery did not happen until the industrial revolution in the early 19th century.

16th to 18th centuries

The Siege of Maastricht (1579) as depicted in the Palace of Aranjuez
The Siege of Maastricht (1579) as depicted in the Palace of Aranjuez

The strategic location of Maastricht at a major river crossing necessitated the construction of an array of fortifications around the city during this period. The Spanish and Dutch garrisons became an important factor in the city's economy. In 1579 the city was sacked by the Spanish army led by the Duke of Parma (Siege of Maastricht, 1579). For over fifty years the Spanish crown took over the role previously held by the dukes of Brabant in the joint sovereignty over Maastricht. In 1632 the city was conquered by Prince Frederick Henry of Orange and the Dutch States General replaced the Spanish crown in the joint government of Maastricht.

Another Siege of Maastricht (1673) took place during the Franco-Dutch War. In June 1673, Louis XIV laid siege to the city because French supply lines were being threatened. During this siege, Vauban, the famous French military engineer, developed a new tactic in order to break down the strong fortifications surrounding Maastricht. His systematic approach remained the standard method of attacking fortresses until the 20th century. On 25 June 1673, while preparing to storm the city, captain-lieutenant Charles de Batz de Castelmore, also known as the comte d'Artagnan, was killed by a musket shot outside the Tongerse Poort. This event was embellished in Alexandre Dumas' novel The Vicomte de Bragelonne, part of the D'Artagnan Romances. French troops occupied Maastricht from 1673 to 1678.

In 1748 the French again conquered the city at what is known as the Second French Siege of Maastricht, during the War of Austrian Succession. After each siege the city's fortifications were restored and expanded. The French revolutionary army failed to take the city in 1793 but a year later they succeeded. The condominium was dissolved and Maastricht was annexed to the French First Republic, later the First French Empire. For almost twenty years (1795–1814/15) Maastricht was the capital of the French département of Meuse-Inférieure.

19th and early 20th century

19th-century industry: Maastricht potteries in Boschstraat
19th-century industry: Maastricht potteries in Boschstraat

After the Napoleonic era, Maastricht became part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815. It was made the capital of the newly formed Province of Limburg (1815–1839). When the southern provinces of the newly formed kingdom seceded in 1830, the Dutch garrison in Maastricht remained loyal to the Dutch king, William I, even when most of the inhabitants of the town and the surrounding area sided with the Belgian revolutionaries. In 1831, arbitration by the Great Powers allocated the city to the Netherlands. However, neither the Dutch nor the Belgians agreed to this and the arrangement was not implemented until the 1839 Treaty of London. During this period of isolation Maastricht developed into an early industrial town.

Plate commemorating the liberation, 14 September 1944
Plate commemorating the liberation, 14 September 1944

Because of its eccentric location in the southeastern Netherlands, as well as its geographical and cultural proximity to Belgium and Germany, integration of Maastricht and Limburg into the Netherlands did not come about easily. Maastricht retained a distinctly non-Dutch appearance during much of the 19th century and it was not until the First World War that the city was forced to look northwards.

Like the rest of the Netherlands, Maastricht remained neutral during World War I. However, being wedged between Germany and Belgium, it received large numbers of refugees, putting a strain on the city's resources. Early in World War II, the city was taken by the Germans by surprise during the Battle of Maastricht of May 1940. On 13 and 14 September 1944 it was the first Dutch city to be liberated by Allied forces of the US Old Hickory Division. The three Meuse bridges were destroyed or severely damaged during the war. As elsewhere in the Netherlands, the majority of Maastricht Jews died in Nazi concentration camps.[16]

After World War II

Prime minister Dries van Agt presiding over the 1981 European Council in the town hall
Prime minister Dries van Agt presiding over the 1981 European Council in the town hall

During the latter half of the century, traditional industries (such as Maastricht's potteries) declined and the city's economy shifted to a service economy. Maastricht University was founded in 1976. Several European institutions found their base in Maastricht. In 1981 and 1991 European Councils were held in Maastricht, the latter one resulting a year later in the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, leading to the creation of the European Union and the euro.[17] Since 1988, The European Fine Art Fair, regarded as the world's leading art fair, annually draws in some of the wealthiest art collectors.

Since the 1990s, large parts of the city have been refurbished, including the areas around the main railway station and the Maasboulevard promenade along the Meuse, the Entre Deux and Mosae Forum shopping centres, as well as some of the main shopping streets. A prestigious quarter designed by international architects and including the new Bonnefanten Museum, a public library, and a theatre was built on the grounds of the former Société Céramique factory near the town centre. Further large-scale projects, such as the redevelopment of the area around the A2 motorway, the Sphinx Quarter and the Belvédère area are under construction.

In the early 2000s, Maastricht launched several campaigns against drug-dealing in an attempt to stop foreign buyers taking advantage of the liberal Dutch legislation and causing trouble in the downtown area.[18]

Discover more about History related topics

Timeline of Maastricht

Timeline of Maastricht

The following is a timeline of the history of the municipality of Maastricht, Netherlands.

Old Dutch

Old Dutch

In linguistics, Old Dutch or Old Low Franconian is the set of Franconian dialects spoken in the Low Countries during the Early Middle Ages, from around the 8th to the 12th century. Old Dutch is mostly recorded on fragmentary relics, and words have been reconstructed from Middle Dutch and Old Dutch loanwords in French.

Meuse

Meuse

The Meuse or Maas is a major European river, rising in France and flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea from the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta. It has a total length of 925 km.

Ford (crossing)

Ford (crossing)

A ford is a shallow place with good footing where a river or stream may be crossed by wading, or inside a vehicle getting its wheels wet. A ford may occur naturally or be constructed. Fords may be impassable during high water. A low-water crossing is a low bridge that allows crossing over a river or stream when water is low but may be treated as a ford when the river is high and water covers the crossing.

Sjeng (name)

Sjeng (name)

Sjeng is a Dutch masculine first name. The name can still be found in Dutch Limburg particularly in the south, in and around Maastricht. The name is an alteration of the French name "Jean", just like the name Sjang that also can be heard in Limburg.

Neanderthal

Neanderthal

Neanderthals, also written as Neandertals, are an extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans who lived in Eurasia until about 40,000 years ago. The reasons for Neanderthal extinction are disputed. Theories for their extinction include demographic factors such as small population size and inbreeding; competitive replacement; interbreeding and assimilation with modern humans; climate change; disease; or a combination of these factors.

Celts

Celts

The Celts or Celtic peoples are a collection of Indo-European peoples in Europe and Anatolia, identified by their use of Celtic languages and other cultural similarities. Historical Celtic groups included the Britons, Boii, Celtiberians, Gaels, Gauls, Gallaeci, Galatians, Lepontii and their offshoots. The relation between ethnicity, language and culture in the Celtic world is unclear and debated; for example over the ways in which the Iron Age people of Britain and Ireland should be called Celts. In current scholarship, 'Celt' primarily refers to 'speakers of Celtic languages' rather than to a single ethnic group.

Bavay

Bavay

Bavay is a commune in the Nord department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The town was the seat of the former canton of Bavay.

Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium

Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium

Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium was the Roman colony in the Rhineland from which the city of Cologne, now in Germany, developed.

Granary

Granary

A granary is a storehouse or room in a barn for threshed grain or animal feed. Ancient or primitive granaries are most often made of pottery. Granaries are often built above the ground to keep the stored food away from mice and other animals and from floods.

Armenia

Armenia

Armenia, officially the Republic of Armenia, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia. It is a part of the Caucasus region and is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, the Lachin corridor and Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran and the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan to the south. Yerevan is the capital, largest city and financial center.

Gregory of Tours

Gregory of Tours

Gregory of Tours was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours during the Merovingian period. He was considered a leading prelate in the Merovingian kingdom, which encompassed the historical region of Gaul.

Geography

Neighbourhoods

Typical street in the Jekerkwartier, part of the city centre
Typical street in the Jekerkwartier, part of the city centre
Dutch topographic map of Maastricht, March 2014
Dutch topographic map of Maastricht, March 2014

Maastricht consists of seven areas (wijken) and 44 neighbourhoods (buurten). Each area and neighbourhood has a number which corresponds to its CBS code.

  1. Maastricht Centrum (CBS area code: 093500): Binnenstad, Jekerkwartier, Kommelkwartier, Statenkwartier, Boschstraatkwartier, Sint Maartenspoort, Wyck-Céramique
  2. South-West (093501): Villapark, Jekerdal, Biesland, Campagne, Wolder, Sint Pieter)
  3. West (093502): Brusselsepoort, Mariaberg, Belfort, Pottenberg, Malpertuis, Caberg, Malberg, Dousberg-Hazendans, Daalhof
  4. North-West (093503): Boschpoort, Bosscherveld, Frontenkwartier, Belvédère, Lanakerveld
  5. North-East (093505): Beatrixhaven, Borgharen, Itteren, Meerssenhoven
  6. East (093504): Wyckerpoort, Wittevrouwenveld, Nazareth, Limmel, Amby, Scharn, Heugemerveld
  7. South-East (093506): Randwyck, Heugem, Heer, De Heeg, Vroendaal

Itteren, Borgharen, Limmel, Amby, Heer, Heugem, Scharn, Oud-Caberg, Sint Pieter and Wolder are neighbourhoods that used to be separate municipalities or villages until they were annexed by the city of Maastricht in the course of the 20th century.

Neighbouring municipalities

The outlying areas of the following municipalities are bordering the municipality of Maastricht directly.

Clockwise from north-east to north-west:

(B = Situated in Belgium)

Border

Maastricht's city limits has an international border with Belgium. Most of it borders Belgium's Flemish region, but a small part to the south also has a border with Wallonia. Both countries are part of Europe's Schengen Area thus are open without border controls.

Climate

Maastricht features the same climate as most of the Netherlands (Cfb, Oceanic climate), however, due to its more inland location in between hills, summers tend to be warmer (especially in the Meuse valley, which lies 70 metres lower than the meteorological station) and winters a bit colder, although the difference is only noticeable on just a few days a year. The highest temperature recorded was on 25 July 2019 at 39.6 °C (103.3 °F).

Climate data for Maastricht (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1906−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.5
(61.7) 		19.8
(67.6) 		24.2
(75.6) 		29.7
(85.5) 		33.1
(91.6) 		37.2
(99.0) 		39.6
(103.3) 		36.8
(98.2) 		34.3
(93.7) 		28.7
(83.7) 		21.4
(70.5) 		17.0
(62.6) 		39.6
(103.3)
Average high °C (°F) 5.7
(42.3) 		6.7
(44.1) 		10.7
(51.3) 		15.0
(59.0) 		18.8
(65.8) 		21.7
(71.1) 		23.8
(74.8) 		23.5
(74.3) 		19.7
(67.5) 		14.8
(58.6) 		9.7
(49.5) 		6.3
(43.3) 		14.7
(58.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.2
(37.8) 		3.7
(38.7) 		6.6
(43.9) 		10.1
(50.2) 		13.8
(56.8) 		16.8
(62.2) 		18.8
(65.8) 		18.4
(65.1) 		15.0
(59.0) 		11.0
(51.8) 		6.8
(44.2) 		4.0
(39.2) 		10.7
(51.3)
Average low °C (°F) 0.5
(32.9) 		0.7
(33.3) 		2.7
(36.9) 		5.0
(41.0) 		8.7
(47.7) 		11.7
(53.1) 		13.8
(56.8) 		13.4
(56.1) 		10.6
(51.1) 		7.3
(45.1) 		3.8
(38.8) 		1.4
(34.5) 		6.6
(43.9)
Record low °C (°F) −19.3
(−2.7) 		−21.4
(−6.5) 		−12.9
(8.8) 		−5.6
(21.9) 		−1.6
(29.1) 		0.7
(33.3) 		4.3
(39.7) 		4.9
(40.8) 		−0.9
(30.4) 		−6.5
(20.3) 		−12.0
(10.4) 		−18.3
(−0.9) 		−21.4
(−6.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 63.8
(2.51) 		57.6
(2.27) 		54.6
(2.15) 		41.0
(1.61) 		57.7
(2.27) 		68.9
(2.71) 		72.8
(2.87) 		82.8
(3.26) 		57.5
(2.26) 		63.6
(2.50) 		62.2
(2.45) 		74.3
(2.93) 		756.8
(29.80)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 12.0 10.8 10.4 8.4 9.4 9.7 10.2 10.2 8.8 10.7 11.7 13.2 125.7
Average snowy days 6.1 6.7 3.3 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.1 4.7 22.2
Average relative humidity (%) 86.4 83.2 77.7 71.7 72.1 72.8 73.1 74.8 79.4 83.9 87.9 88.3 79.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 66.9 86.0 138.5 180.8 208.7 205.5 209.0 197.5 157.0 118.2 74.1 53.5 1,695.7
Percent possible sunshine 25.4 30.3 37.5 43.7 43.4 41.7 42.1 43.8 41.3 35.5 27.4 21.5 36.1
Source: Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (snowy days 2003-2020)[19][20]

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Jekerkwartier

Jekerkwartier

The Jekerkwartier is a neighbourhood in the old city centre of Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands. It is named after the Jeker river that flows through the neighbourhood into the Meuse.

Binnenstad (Maastricht)

Binnenstad (Maastricht)

Binnenstad is a neighbourhood in Maastricht, Netherlands. Until 2007, it was officially named City. As its name suggests, it is the most centrally located area of Maastricht.

Biesland (Maastricht)

Biesland (Maastricht)

Biesland is a neighbourhood of Maastricht, Netherlands located in the southwest of the city. It is mainly a residential neighbourhood and relatively affluent.

Boschpoort

Boschpoort

Boschpoort is a neighbourhood of Maastricht in the Dutch province of Limburg. The suburb is situated in the North Western area of the town, on the West bank of the river Meuse. The Dörp as it is colloquially known is home to approximately 1500 people.

Borgharen

Borgharen

Borgharen is a town in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is a part of the municipality of Maastricht, and lies about 3 km north of Maastricht. Until 1970, it was a separate municipality.

Itteren

Itteren

Itteren is a town in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is a part of the municipality of Maastricht, and lies about 6 km north of Maastricht.

Amby (Maastricht)

Amby (Maastricht)

A former village, Amby is now a neighborhood of Maastricht, in the Netherlands, located about 4 km northeast of the center of the city.

Bunde, Limburg

Bunde, Limburg

Bunde is a village in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is located in the municipality of Meerssen, about 2 km northwest of Meerssen itself.

Berg en Terblijt

Berg en Terblijt

Berg en Terblijt is the official Dutch name of a village in the municipality of Valkenburg aan de Geul in the province of Limburg in the Southern part of the Netherlands.

Bemelen

Bemelen

Bemelen is a village in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is part of the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten, and lies about 5 km east of Maastricht.

Cadier en Keer

Cadier en Keer

Cadier en Keer is a village in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is a part of the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten, and lies about 5 km east of Maastricht.

Gronsveld

Gronsveld

Gronsveld is a village in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is part of the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten and situated southeast of the municipality of Maastricht, to which it is bordering.

Demographics

Historical population

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
14007,000—    
150010,000+0.36%
156013,500+0.50%
160012,600−0.17%
165018,000+0.72%
174012,500−0.40%
179617,963+0.65%
181820,000+0.49%
197093,927+1.02%
1980109,285+1.53%
1990117,008+0.69%
2000122,070+0.42%
2010118,533−0.29%
Source: Lourens & Lucassen 1997, pp. 32–33 (1400-1795)
Statistics Netherlands (1970-2010)

Inhabitants by nationality

Maastricht residents by nationality - Top 10 (2000-2021)
Nationality 2021 2014[21] 2010 2000
Netherlands Netherlands 100,297 107,418 109,722 116,171
Germany Germany 3,908 3,869 1,956 783
Italy Italy 1 572 653 387 280
Belgium Belgium 1,475 1,055 946 909
Spain Spain 913 431 232 241
United Kingdom United Kingdom 842 815 386 280
China China 739 595 248 87
France France 686 351 214 120
United States United States 665 623 277 162
Turkey Turkey 436 404 368 404

Inhabitants by country of birth

Maastricht residents by country of birth - Top 10 (2000-2020)
Country of birth 2020 2013[22] 2010 2000
Netherlands Netherlands 93,162 100,269 102,433 109,632
Germany Germany 3,949 4,100 2,467 1,444
Belgium Belgium 2,355 1,920 1,839 1,900
United States United States 1,380 753 383 217
Indonesia Indonesia 1,020 1,199 1,267 1,556
China China (excl. Hong Kong and Macau) 1,019 651 373 215
Turkey Turkey 973 919 836 784
United Kingdom United Kingdom 926 677 404 310
Morocco Morocco 829 838 867 859
Poland Poland 563 437 316 152

Languages

Maastricht is a city of linguistic diversity, partly as a result of its location at the crossroads of multiple language areas and its international student population.

  • Dutch is the national language and the language of elementary and secondary education (excluding international institutions) as well as administration. Dutch in Maastricht is often spoken with a distinctive Limburgish accent, which should not be confused with the Limburgish language.
  • Limburgish (or Limburgian) is the overlapping term of the tonal dialects spoken in the Dutch and the Belgian provinces of Limburg. The Maastrichtian dialect (Mestreechs) is only one of many variants of Limburgish. It is characterised by stretched vowels and some French influence on its vocabulary. In recent years the Maastricht dialect has been in decline (see dialect levelling) and a language switch to Standard Dutch has been noted.[23]
  • French used to be the language of education and culture in Maastricht. In the late 18th century the language gained a powerful position as the judicial and administrative language, and throughout the following century it was the preferred language of the upper classes. Between 1851 and 1892 a Francophone newspaper (Le Courrier de la Meuse) was published in Maastricht.[24] The language is often part of secondary school curricula. Many proper names are French and the language has left many traces in the local dialect.
  • German, like French, is often part of secondary school curricula. Due to Maastricht's geographic proximity to Germany and the great number of German students in the city, German is widely spoken.
  • English has become an important language in education. At Maastricht University and Hogeschool Zuyd it is the language of instruction for many courses. Many foreign students and expatriates use English as a lingua franca. English is also a mandatory subject in Dutch secondary schools.

Religion

In 2010–2014, 69.8% of the population of Maastricht regarded themselves as religious. 60.4% of the total population stated an affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church. 13.9% attended a religious ceremony at least once a month.[25]

Religions in Maastricht (2013)[26]

  Roman Catholic (60.1%)
  Protestant Church in the Netherlands (2.8%)
  Other Christian denominations (2.2%)
  Islam (3.3%)
  Hinduism (0.1%)
  Buddhism (0.4%)
  Judaism (0.2%)
  No affiliation (30.9%)

Discover more about Demographics related topics

Statistics Netherlands

Statistics Netherlands

Statistics Netherlands, founded in 1899, is a Dutch governmental institution that gathers statistical information about the Netherlands. In Dutch it is known as the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, often abbreviated to CBS. It is located in The Hague and Heerlen. Since 3 January 2004, Statistics Netherlands has been a self-standing organisation, or quango. Its independent status in law guarantees the reliable collection and dissemination of information supporting public debate, policy development and decision-making.

Netherlands

Netherlands

The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country located in northwestern Europe with overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands consists of twelve provinces; it borders Germany to the east, and Belgium to the south, with a North Sea coastline to the north and west. It shares maritime borders with the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium in the North Sea. The country's official language is Dutch, with West Frisian as a secondary official language in the province of Friesland. Dutch, English and Papiamento are official in the Caribbean territories.

Germany

Germany

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second-most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated between the Baltic and North seas to the north, and the Alps to the south; it covers an area of 357,022 square kilometres (137,847 sq mi), with a population of around 84 million within its 16 constituent states. Germany borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the west. The nation's capital and most populous city is Berlin and its main financial centre is Frankfurt; the largest urban area is the Ruhr.

Italy

Italy

Italy, officially the Italian Republic or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern and Western Europe. Located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, it consists of a peninsula delimited by the Alps and surrounded by several islands; its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical region. Italy shares land borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia and the enclaved microstates of Vatican City and San Marino. It has a territorial exclave in Switzerland, Campione. Italy covers an area of 301,230 km2 (116,310 sq mi), with a population of about 60 million. It is the third-most populous member state of the European Union, the sixth-most populous country in Europe, and the tenth-largest country in the continent by land area. Italy's capital and largest city is Rome.

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the southwest, and the North Sea to the northwest. It covers an area of 30,528 km2 (11,787 sq mi) and has a population of more than 11.5 million, making it the 22nd most densely populated country in the world and the 6th most densely populated country in Europe, with a density of 376/km2 (970/sq mi). Belgium is part of an area known as the Low Countries, historically a somewhat larger region than the Benelux group of states, as it also included parts of northern France. The capital and largest city is Brussels; other major cities are Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, Liège, Bruges, Namur, and Leuven.

Spain

Spain

Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country primarily located in southwestern Europe with parts of territory in the Atlantic Ocean and across the Mediterranean Sea. The largest part of Spain is situated on the Iberian Peninsula; its territory also includes the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla in Africa. The country's mainland is bordered to the south by Gibraltar; to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea; to the north by France, Andorra and the Bay of Biscay; and to the west by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean. With an area of 505,990 km2 (195,360 sq mi), Spain is the second-largest country in the European Union (EU) and, with a population exceeding 47.4 million, the fourth-most populous EU member state. Spain's capital and largest city is Madrid; other major urban areas include Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Málaga, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Bilbao.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands within the British Isles. Northern Ireland shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland; otherwise, the United Kingdom is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea. The total area of the United Kingdom is 242,495 square kilometres (93,628 sq mi), with an estimated 2023 population of over 68 million people.

China

China

China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and borders fourteen countries by land, the most of any country in the world, tied with Russia. With an area of approximately 9.6 million square kilometres (3,700,000 sq mi), it is the world's third largest country by total land area. The country consists of 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities, and two special administrative regions. The national capital is Beijing, and the most populous city and largest financial center is Shanghai.

France

France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. It also includes overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, giving it one of the largest discontiguous exclusive economic zones in the world. Its metropolitan area extends from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean and from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea; overseas territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the North Atlantic, the French West Indies, and many islands in Oceania and the Indian Ocean. Its eighteen integral regions span a combined area of 643,801 km2 (248,573 sq mi) and had a total population of over 68 million as of January 2023. France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with its capital in Paris, the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial centre; other major urban areas include Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Lille, Bordeaux, and Nice.

United States

United States

The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territories, nine Minor Outlying Islands, and 326 Indian reservations. The United States is also in free association with three Pacific Island sovereign states: the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. It is the world's third-largest country by both land and total area. It shares land borders with Canada to its north and with Mexico to its south and has maritime borders with the Bahamas, Cuba, Russia, and other nations. With a population of over 333 million, it is the most populous country in the Americas and the third most populous in the world. The national capital of the United States is Washington, D.C. and its most populous city and principal financial center is New York City.

Turkey

Turkey

Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east; Iraq to the southeast; Syria and the Mediterranean Sea to the south; the Aegean Sea to the west; and Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest. Cyprus is off the south coast. Most of the country's citizens are ethnic Turks, while Kurds are the largest ethnic minority. Ankara is Turkey's capital and second-largest city; Istanbul is its largest city and main financial centre.

Economy

ENCI quarry
ENCI quarry
Office park Randwyck-Noord
Office park Randwyck-Noord

Private companies based in Maastricht

  • Sappi – South African Pulp and Paper Industry
  • Royal Mosa – ceramic tiles
  • O-I Manufacturing – previously Kristalunie Maastricht; glass
  • BASF – previously Ten Horn; pigments
  • Mondi – packaging
  • Rubber Resources/Elgi Rubber – previously Vredestein; rubber recycling
  • Radium Foams – Talalay products
  • Hewlett-Packard – previously Indigo, manufacturer of electronic data systems
  • Vodafone – mobile phone company
  • Q-Park – international operator of parking garages
  • DHL – international express mail services
  • Teleperformance – contact center services
  • Mercedes-Benz – customer contact centre for Europe
  • VGZ – health insurance, customer contact centre
  • Pie Medical Imaging – cardiovascular quantitative analysis software
  • Esaote (former Pie Medical Equipment) – manufacturer of medical and veterinary diagnostic equipment
  • BioPartner Centre Maastricht – life sciences spin-off companies
  • Medtronic – medical devices, R&D center

Public institutions

Provincial Government Buildings
Provincial Government Buildings
European Institute of Public Administration
European Institute of Public Administration

Since the 1980s, a number of European and international institutions have made Maastricht their base. They provide an increasing number of employment opportunities for expats living in the Maastricht area.

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ENCI

ENCI

ENCI is a Dutch company based in Maastricht, Rotterdam and IJmuiden. Their core business activity consists of the digging of marl out of St Pietersberg, which they use to make cement. The company has been around since 1924, with some key locations being in Maastricht and Sint-Pietersberg. The Maastricht location was closed in 2020.

BASF

BASF

BASF SE is a European multinational chemical company and the largest chemical producer in the world. Its headquarters are located in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Mondi

Mondi

Mondi plc is a multinational packaging and paper group employing around 21,000 people with around 100 production sites across more than 30 countries, predominantly in Europe, Russia, North America and South Africa. Group offices are located in Weybridge, United Kingdom and Vienna, Austria. Mondi is fully integrated across the packaging and paper value chain – from the growing of wood and the manufacturing of pulp and paper, to the conversion of packaging papers into corrugated packaging, industrial bags, extrusion coatings and release liner. It has listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Apollo Vredestein

Apollo Vredestein

Apollo Vredestein B.V. is a Netherlands-based tyre manufacturer. Since 2009, it is owned by Apollo Tyres Ltd of India. Apollo Vredestein has its head office in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and its production facility in Enschede. It designs, manufactures, and sells tyres under the Apollo and Vredestein brand names via offices in Europe and North America.

Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard

The original incarnation of the Hewlett-Packard Company, commonly shortened to Hewlett-Packard or HP, was an American multinational information technology company headquartered in Palo Alto, California. HP developed and provided a wide variety of hardware components, as well as software and related services to consumers, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), and large enterprises, including customers in the government, health, and education sectors. The company was founded in a one-car garage in Palo Alto by Bill Hewlett and David Packard in 1939, and initially produced a line of electronic test and measurement equipment. The HP Garage at 367 Addison Avenue is now designated an official California Historical Landmark, and is marked with a plaque calling it the "Birthplace of 'Silicon Valley'".

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz, commonly referred to as Mercedes and sometimes as Benz, is a German luxury and commercial vehicle automotive brand established in 1926. Mercedes-Benz AG is headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Mercedes-Benz AG produces consumer luxury vehicles and commercial vehicles badged as Mercedes-Benz. From November 2019 onwards, Mercedes-Benz-badged heavy commercial vehicles are managed by Daimler Truck, a former part of the Mercedes-Benz Group turned into an independent company in late 2021. In 2018, Mercedes-Benz was the largest brand of premium vehicles in the world, having sold 2.31 million passenger cars.

Medtronic

Medtronic

Medtronic plc is an American medical device company. The company's operational and executive headquarters are in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and its legal headquarters are in Ireland due to its acquisition of Irish-based Covidien in 2015. While it primarily operates in the United States, it operates in more than 150 countries and employs over 90,000 people. It develops and manufactures healthcare technologies and therapies.

Expatriate

Expatriate

An expatriate is a person who resides outside their native country. In common usage, the term often refers to educated professionals, skilled workers, or artists taking positions outside their home country, either independently or sent abroad by their employers. However, the term 'expatriate' is also used for retirees and others who have chosen to live outside their native country. Historically, it has also referred to exiles.

Administration (government)

Administration (government)

The term administration, as used in the context of government, differs according to the jurisdiction under which it operates. In general terms, administration can be described as a decision making body.

Limburg (Netherlands)

Limburg (Netherlands)

Limburg is the southernmost of the twelve provinces of the Netherlands. It is bordered by Gelderland to the north and by North Brabant to its west. Its long eastern boundary forms the international border with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. To the west is the international border with the similarly named Belgian province of Limburg, part of which is delineated by the river Meuse. The Vaalserberg is on the extreme southeastern point, marking the tripoint of the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

Eurocontrol

Eurocontrol

The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, commonly known as Eurocontrol, is an international organisation working to achieve safe and seamless air traffic management across Europe. Founded in 1960, Eurocontrol currently has 41 member states and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. It has several local sites as well, including an Innovation Hub in Brétigny-sur-Orge, France, the Aviation Learning Centre (ALC) in Luxembourg, and the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) in Maastricht, the Netherlands. The organisation employs approximately two thousand people, and operates with an annual budget in excess of half a billion Euro.

European Journalism Centre

European Journalism Centre

The European Journalism Centre (EJC) is an independent, non-profit institute, based in Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands.

Culture and tourism

Medieval city wall (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwewal)
Medieval city wall (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwewal)
View of Maastricht from the fortress on Mount Saint Peter
View of Maastricht from the fortress on Mount Saint Peter
Vrijthof with Saint John's (left) and Saint Servatius Basilica
Vrijthof with Saint John's (left) and Saint Servatius Basilica
View of Our Lady's from the church tower of Saint John's
View of Our Lady's from the church tower of Saint John's
Christmas decorations Onze Lieve Vrouweplein
Christmas decorations Onze Lieve Vrouweplein
Markt and town hall
Markt and town hall
13th-century Dominican church converted into a bookstore
13th-century Dominican church converted into a bookstore
Slavante on the slopes of Mount Saint Peter
Slavante on the slopes of Mount Saint Peter
The landmark tower of the Bonnefanten Museum on the east bank of the Meuse in Wyck-Céramique
The landmark tower of the Bonnefanten Museum on the east bank of the Meuse in Wyck-Céramique
Medieval art in the Bonnefantenmuseum
Medieval art in the Bonnefantenmuseum
Chest of Saint Servatius in the Treasury of the Basilica of Saint Servatius
Chest of Saint Servatius in the Treasury of the Basilica of Saint Servatius
Maastricht University faculty on their way to the annual dies natalis
Maastricht University faculty on their way to the annual dies natalis
TEFAF, Maastricht's prestigious art fair
TEFAF, Maastricht's prestigious art fair
Giants' Parade, 2019: Gigantius of Maastricht
Giants' Parade, 2019: Gigantius of Maastricht

Sights of Maastricht

Maastricht is known in the Netherlands and beyond for its lively squares, narrow streets, and historic buildings. The city has 1,677 national heritage buildings (rijksmonumenten), more than any Dutch city outside Amsterdam. In addition to that there are 3,500 locally listed buildings (gemeentelijke monumenten). The entire city centre is a conservation area (beschermd stadsgezicht) and largely traffic-free. The tourist information office (VVV) is located in the basement of Dinghuis, a late-medieval courthouse overlooking Grote Staat. Maastricht's main sights include:

  • Meuse (Dutch: Maas) river, with several parks and promenades along the river, and some interesting bridges:
    • Sint Servaasbrug, partly from the 13th century; the oldest bridge in the Netherlands;
    • Hoge Brug ("High Bridge"), a modern pedestrian bridge designed by René Greisch.
  • City fortifications, including:
    • Remnants of the first and second medieval city wall and several towers (13th and 14th centuries);
    • Helpoort ("Hell's Gate"), an imposing gate with two towers, built around 1230, the oldest city gate in the Netherlands;
    • Wycker Waterpoort, a medieval gate in Wyck, used for accessing the city from the Meuse, demolished in the 19th century but rebuilt shortly afterwards;
    • Hoge Fronten (or: Linie van Du Moulin), remnants of 17th- and 18th-century fortifications, including a number of well-preserved bastions, couvrefaces, lunettes and dry moats;
    • Fort Sint-Pieter, an early 18th-century fortress on the flanks of Mount Saint Peter, offering guided tours and panoramic views of the city; and Fort Willem I, an early 19th-century fortress on the Caberg elevation;
    • Casemates, an underground network of tunnels, built as sheltered emplacements for guns and cannons. These connected tunnels built of brick and limestone run for around fourteen kilometres underneath the city's fortifications. Guided tours are available.
  • Binnenstad: inner-city pedestrianized district with popular shopping streets Grote and Kleine Staat, high-end shopping streets Stokstraat and Maastrichter Smedenstraat, and two indoor shopping centres. Several main sights in Maastricht as well as a large number of cafés, pubs and restaurants are centred around the three main squares in Binnenstad:
    • Vrijthof, the largest and possibly best-known square in Maastricht, with many well-known pubs and restaurants (including two - one former - gentlemen's clubs). Other sights include:
      • Basilica of Saint Servatius, a predominantly Romanesque church with an imposing westwork and important 12th and 13th-century sculptures; most notably the westwork interior figurative capitals, the westwork reredo, and the sculpted South Portal. The tomb of Saint Servatius in the crypt is a favoured place of pilgrimage. The church has an important church treasury;
      • Sint-Janskerk, a Gothic church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the city's main Protestant church since 1632, adjacent to the Basilica of Saint Servatius, with a distinctive limestone tower painted red;
      • Spaans Gouvernement ("Spanish Government Building"), a 16th-century former canon's house, later used as a residence for the Brabant and Habsburg rulers, now housing the Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof;
      • Hoofdwacht, an 18th-century military guard house, built in the style of the Dutch Baroque, used for exhibitions;
      • Generaalshuis ("General's House"), a Neoclassical mansion, now the city's main theater (Theater aan het Vrijthof).
    • Onze Lieve Vrouweplein, a tree-lined square with a number of pavement cafes. Main sights:
      • Basilica of Our Lady, a partly 11th-century church, one of the Netherlands' most significant Romanesque buildings with an imposing Mosan westwork and an important church treasury. Perhaps best known for the shrine of Our Lady, Star of the Sea in an adjacent Gothic chapel;
      • Derlon Museumkelder, a permanent exhibition of ancient Roman remains in the basement of Hotel Derlon.
    • Markt, the town's historic market square. Sights include:
      • The Town Hall, built in the 17th century by Pieter Post and considered one of the highlights of Dutch Baroque architecture. Nearby is Dinghuis, the late medieval town hall and courthouse with an early Renaissance façade;
      • Mosae Forum, a shopping centre and civic building designed by Jo Coenen and Bruno Albert in the early 2000s. Inside the Mosae Forum parking garage is a small exhibition of Citroën miniature cars;
      • Entre Deux, a rebuilt shopping centre in Postmodern style, which has won several international awards.[27] It includes a bookstore located inside a former 13th-century Dominican church. In 2008, British newspaper The Guardian proclaimed this the world's most beautiful bookshop.[28]
  • Jekerkwartier, a neighbourhood named after the small river Jeker, which pops up between old houses and remnants of city walls. The western part of the neighbourhood (named the Maastricht Latin Quarter) is dominated by university buildings and (performing) arts schools. Sights include:
    • several churches and monasteries: the 13th-century First Franciscan Monastery, the 17th-century "Veiled Sisters" and Bonnefanten monasteries, and the 18th-century Second Franciscan Monastery and Walloon and Lutheran churches;
    • Maastricht Natural History Museum, a small museum of natural history in a former monastery;
    • Grote Looiersstraat ("Great Tanners' Street"), a former canal that was filled in during the 19th century, lined with elegant houses, the city's poorhouse (now part of the university library) and Sint-Maartenshofje, a typically Dutch hofje.
  • Kommelkwartier, Statenkwartier and Boschstraatkwartier, three relatively quiet inner city neighbourhoods with several monasteries, university buildings and industrial heritage building:
    • Crosier Monastery in Kommelkwartier, a well-preserved Gothic monastery, now a five-star hotel;
    • Sint-Matthiaskerk, a 14th-century parish church dedicated to Saint Matthew;
    • Sphinx Quarter, an upcoming neighbourhood and cultural hotspot in the north of the city centre. Several of the industrial buildings of the former Sphinx glass, crystal and ceramics factories have been transformed for new uses;
    • Bassin, a restored early 19th-century inner harbor surrounded by industrial heritage buildings, re-used as cultural venues, bars and restaurants.
  • Wyck, the old quarter on the right bank of the river Meuse.
    • Saint Martin's Church, a Gothic Revival church designed by Pierre Cuypers in 1856;
    • Rechtstraat and Hoogbrugstraat are the oldest streets in Wyck with many historic buildings and a mix of specialty shops, art galleries and restaurants;
    • Stationsstraat and Wycker Brugstraat are elegant streets with the majority of the buildings dating from the late 19th century. At the east end of Stationsstraat stands the Maastricht railway station from 1913.
  • Céramique, a modern neighbourhood on the site of the former Société Céramique potteries, including a park along the river Meuse (Charles Eyckpark) and a showcase of architectural highlights:
  • Sint-Pietersberg ("Mount Saint Peter"): modest hill and nature reserve south of the city, peaking at 171 metres (561 ft) above sea level. It serves as Maastricht's main recreation area and a viewing point. The main sights include:
    • Fort Sint-Pieter, an early 18th-century military fortress fully restored in recent years;
    • Caves of Maastricht aka Grotten Sint-Pietersberg, an underground network of man-made tunnels ("caves") in limestone quarries. Guided tours are available;
    • ENCI Quarry: a former quarry and nature reserve with several lakes, accessible via a spectacular staircase with viewing platforms;
    • Slavante, a 19th-century former gentlemen's club on the site of a Franciscan monastery (of which parts are still standing), now a popular hang-out, offering panoramic views over the Meuse valley;
    • Lichtenberg, a ruined medieval castle keep and an adjacent 18th-century farmstead;
    • D'n Observant ("The Observer"), an artificial hilltop, made with the spoils of a nearby quarry, now a nature reserve.

Museums in Maastricht

Events and festivals

  • Dies natalis, birthday of the University of Maastricht, with procession of university faculty to St. John's Church where honorary degrees are awarded (9 January).
  • Carnival (Maastrichtian: Vastelaovend) - a traditional three-day festival in the southern part of the Netherlands; in Maastricht mainly outdoors with typical Zaate Herremeniekes (February/March).
  • The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), the world's leading art and antiques fair (March).
  • Tattoo Expo Maastricht, an anunual international tattoo exhibition (March).
  • Amstel Gold Race, an international cycling race which starts in Maastricht (usually April).
  • KunstTour, an annual art festival (May).
  • European Model United Nations (EuroMUN), an annual international conference (May).
  • Stadsprocessie, religious procession with reliquaries of Saint Servatius and other local saints (first Sunday after 13 May).
  • Pilgrimage of the Relics (Dutch: Heiligdomsvaart), pilgrimage with relics display and processions dating from the Middle Ages (May/June; once in 7 years; next: 2025).
  • Giants' Parade (Dutch: Reuzenstoet), parade of processional giants, mainly from Belgium and France (June; once in 5 years; next: 2024).
  • Maastrichts Mooiste, an annual running and walking event (June).
  • Fashionclash, international fashion event throughout the city (June).
  • Vrijthof concerts by André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra (July/August).
  • Preuvenemint, a large culinary event held on the Vrijthof square (August).
  • Inkom, the traditional opening of the academic year and introduction for new students of Maastricht University (August).
  • Musica Sacra, a festival of religious (classical) music (September).
  • Nederlandse Dansdagen (Netherlands Dance Days), a modern dance festival (October).
  • Jazz Maastricht, a jazz festival formerly known as Jeker Jazz (autumn).
  • 11de van de 11de (the 11th of the 11th), the official start of the carnival season (11 November).
  • Jumping Indoor Maastricht, an international concours hippique (showjumping) (November).
  • Magic Maastricht (Magisch Maastricht), a winter-themed funfair and Christmas market held on Vrijthof square and other locations throughout the city (December/January).

Furthermore, the Maastricht Exposition and Congress Centre (MECC) hosts many events throughout the year.

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Mount Saint Peter

Mount Saint Peter

Mount Saint Peter, also referred to as Caestert Plateau, is the northern part of a plateau running north to south between the valleys of the river Geer to the west, and the Meuse to the east. The plateau runs from Maastricht in the Netherlands, through Riemst in Belgian Limburg almost to the city of Liège in Belgium, thus defining the topography of this border area between Flanders, Wallonia and the Netherlands. The name of the hill, as well as the nearby village and church of Sint Pieter and the fortress of Sint Pieter, refers to Saint Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles.

Basilica of Saint Servatius

Basilica of Saint Servatius

The Basilica of Saint Servatius is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Servatius, in the city of Maastricht, the Netherlands. The architecturally hybrid but mainly Romanesque church is situated next to the Gothic church of Saint John, backing onto the town's main square, Vrijthof.

Basilica of Our Lady, Maastricht

Basilica of Our Lady, Maastricht

The Basilica of Our Lady is a Romanesque church in the historic center of Maastricht, Netherlands. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Diocese of Roermond. The church is often referred to as the Star of the Sea, after the church's main devotion, Our Lady, Star of the Sea.

Onze Lieve Vrouweplein

Onze Lieve Vrouweplein

The Onze Lieve Vrouweplein is a square in the historic center of Maastricht, the Netherlands. The square is situated south of Maastricht's pedestrianised shopping district. Well known for its many café terraces, it is a popular place with tourists and local people alike.

Bonnefantenmuseum

Bonnefantenmuseum

The Bonnefanten Museum is a museum of fine art in Maastricht, Netherlands.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is a public research university in Maastricht, Netherlands. Founded in 1976, it is the second youngest of the thirteen Dutch universities.

The European Fine Art Fair

The European Fine Art Fair

The European Fine Art Fair is an annual art, antiques and design fair organized by The European Fine Art Foundation in the MECC in Maastricht, Netherlands. It was first held in 1988. The ten-day fair attracts about 75,000 visitors and is considered one of the world's leading art fairs.

Rijksmonument

Rijksmonument

A rijksmonument is a national heritage site of the Netherlands, listed by the agency Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed (RCE) acting for the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Meuse

Meuse

The Meuse or Maas is a major European river, rising in France and flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea from the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta. It has a total length of 925 km.

Dutch language

Dutch language

Dutch is a West Germanic language spoken by about 25 million people as a first language and 5 million as a second language. It is the third most widely spoken Germanic language, after its close relatives German and English. Afrikaans is a separate but somewhat mutually intelligible daughter language spoken, to some degree, by at least 16 million people, mainly in South Africa and Namibia, evolving from the Cape Dutch dialects of Southern Africa. The dialects used in Belgium and in Suriname, meanwhile, are all guided by the Dutch Language Union.

Sint Servaasbrug

Sint Servaasbrug

Sint Servaasbrug is an arched stone cyclist and pedestrian bridge across the river Meuse in Maastricht, Netherlands. It is named after Saint Servatius, the first bishop of Maastricht, and it has been called the oldest bridge in the Netherlands.

Hoge Brug

Hoge Brug

The Hoge Brug is a pedestrian and cycle bridge that spans the Meuse in Maastricht, Netherlands.

Nature

A pond in Stadspark, Maastricht's main park
A pond in Stadspark, Maastricht's main park
Relaxing in Charles Eyckpark
Relaxing in Charles Eyckpark
Sheep on Mount Saint Peter
Sheep on Mount Saint Peter
Jeker valley with vineyards
Jeker valley with vineyards

Parks

There are several city parks and recreational areas in Maastricht:[29]

  • Stadspark, the main public park in Maastricht, partly 19th-century, with remnants of the medieval city walls, a branch of the Jeker river, a mini-zoo and several public sculptures (e.g. the statue of d'Artagnan in Aldenhofpark, a 20th-century extension of Stadspark). Other extensions of the park are called Kempland, Henri Hermanspark, Monseigneur Nolenspark and Waldeckpark. From 2014 onwards, the grounds of the former Tapijn military barracks will be gradually added to the park;
  • Jekerpark, a new park along the river Jeker, separated from Stadspark by a busy road;
  • Frontenpark, a new park west of the city centre, incorporating parts of the fortifications of Maastricht from the 17th to 19th centuries;
  • Charles Eykpark, a modern park between the public library and Bonnefanten Museum on the east bank of the Meuse river, designed in the late 1990s by Swedish landscape architect Gunnar Martinsson.
  • Griendpark, a modern park on the east bank of the river with an inline-skating and skateboarding course.
  • Geusseltpark in eastern Maastricht and J.J. van de Vennepark in western Maastricht, both with elaborate sports facilities.

Natural areas

  • The Meuse river and its green banks in outlying areas. In the northern areas around Itteren and Borgharen 'new nature' is being created in combination with river protection measures and gravel mining.[30]
  • Pietersplas, an artificial lake between Maastricht and Gronsveld that was the result of gravel pits on the banks of the Meuse river. There is a beach on the northern slope of the lake and a marina near Castle Hoogenweerth. The eastern riverbed between Pietersplas and the provincial government building is a nature reserve (Kleine Weerd).
  • The Jeker Valley, along the river Jeker, starts near the city centre in Stadspark and leads via Jekerpark to an area with green meadows, fertile fields, some vineyards on the slopes of Cannerberg, several water mills and Château Neercanne, and continues further south into Belgium.
  • The green flanks of Mount Saint Peter, including many footpaths.[31]
  • Dousberg and Zouwdal, a modest hill and valley surrounded by urban development on the western edge of the city, partly in Belgium. A large part of the hill is now in use as an international golf course (Golfclub Maastricht).[32]
  • Landgoederenzone, an extended area in the northeast of Maastricht (partly in Meerssen) consisting of around fifteen country estates, such as Severen, Geusselt, Bethlehem, Mariënwaard, Kruisdonk, Vaeshartelt, Meerssenhoven, Borgharen and Hartelstein. Some of the castles, villas and stately homes are surrounded by industrial areas or quarries.
  • Bike paths through agricultural areas in several outlying quarters (like "Biesland" and "Wolder").

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Mount Saint Peter

Mount Saint Peter

Mount Saint Peter, also referred to as Caestert Plateau, is the northern part of a plateau running north to south between the valleys of the river Geer to the west, and the Meuse to the east. The plateau runs from Maastricht in the Netherlands, through Riemst in Belgian Limburg almost to the city of Liège in Belgium, thus defining the topography of this border area between Flanders, Wallonia and the Netherlands. The name of the hill, as well as the nearby village and church of Sint Pieter and the fortress of Sint Pieter, refers to Saint Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles.

Jeker

Jeker

The Jeker is a river in Belgium and in the Netherlands. It is a left-bank tributary to the river Meuse. The source of the Jeker is near the village of Geer, in the Belgian province of Liège. The river is approximately 54 kilometres (34 mi) long, of which about 50 kilometres (31 mi) is in Belgium and 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) in the Netherlands, where it flows into the river Meuse at Maastricht (Netherlands).

Gunnar Martinsson

Gunnar Martinsson

Gunnar Martinsson was a Swedish footballer who played as a midfielder.

Itteren

Itteren

Itteren is a town in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is a part of the municipality of Maastricht, and lies about 6 km north of Maastricht.

Borgharen

Borgharen

Borgharen is a town in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is a part of the municipality of Maastricht, and lies about 3 km north of Maastricht. Until 1970, it was a separate municipality.

Gronsveld

Gronsveld

Gronsveld is a village in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is part of the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten and situated southeast of the municipality of Maastricht, to which it is bordering.

Marina

Marina

A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats. A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters.

Château Neercanne

Château Neercanne

Château Neercanne is a restaurant located in Maastricht in the Netherlands. It is a fine dining restaurant that was awarded one or two Michelin stars in the periods 1957-1982 and 1986–2018.

Meerssen

Meerssen

Meerssen is a town and a municipality in southeastern Netherlands.

Sports

Student rowing club MSRV Saurus in Zuid-Willemsvaart
Student rowing club MSRV Saurus in Zuid-Willemsvaart
  • In football, Maastricht is represented by MVV Maastricht (Dutch: Maatschappelijke Voetbal Vereniging Maastricht), who (as of the 2016–2017 season) play in the Dutch first division of the national competition (which is the second league after the Eredivisie league). MVV's home is the Geusselt stadium near the A2 highway.
  • Maastricht is also home to the Maastricht Wildcats, an American Football League team and member of the AFBN (American Football Bond Nederland).
  • Since 1998, Maastricht has been the traditional starting place of the annual Amstel Gold Race, the only Dutch cycling classic. For several years the race also finished in Maastricht, but since 2002 the finale has been in the municipality of Valkenburg. Tom Dumoulin was born in Maastricht.
  • Since 2000, Maastricht has been the first city in the Netherlands with a Lacrosse team. The Student Sport Association "Maaslax" is closely linked to Maastricht University and a member of the NLB (Nederlandse Lacrosse Bond).

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Zuid-Willemsvaart

Zuid-Willemsvaart

The Zuid-Willemsvaart is a canal in the south of the Netherlands and the east of Belgium.

Association football

Association football

Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel a ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is to score more goals than the opposite team by moving the ball beyond the goal line into a rectangular-framed goal defended by the opposing side. Traditionally, the game has been played over two 45-minute halves, for a total match time of 90 minutes. With an estimated 250 million players active in over 200 countries and territories, it is considered the world's most popular sport.

Eredivisie

Eredivisie

The Eredivisie is the highest level of professional football in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956, two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. As of the 2020–21 season, it is ranked the sixth-best league in Europe by UEFA.

De Geusselt

De Geusselt

Stadion de Geusselt is a multi-use stadium in Maastricht, Netherlands. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of MVV Maastricht. The stadium is able to hold 10,000 people and was built in 1961.

Maastricht Wildcats

Maastricht Wildcats

The Maastricht Wildcats of the AFBN are an American Football League team from Maastricht. They play in the Dutch 1st division and are rivals to the Amsterdam Crusaders. They won the 2007 Dutch National Championship by defeating the Amsterdam Crusaders 25-16 in the Tulip Bowl. In 2004, the Wildcats, coached by Mel Crandall, won the 3rd Division Championship and advanced to the 2nd division. Then, in the 2005 season, they won the 2nd division championship and advanced to the 1st division.

American Football Bond Nederland

American Football Bond Nederland

The American Football Bond Nederland (AFBN) is the governing body for American Football in the Netherlands. The AFBN was founded 1984 and refounded in 2001 after the merger of the rival leagues Nederlandse American Football Federatie (NAFF) and American Football League Nederland (AFLN).

Amstel Gold Race

Amstel Gold Race

The Amstel Gold Race is an annual one-day classic road cycling race held in the province of Limburg, Netherlands. It traditionally marks the turning point of the spring classics, with the climbers and stage racers replacing the cobbled classics riders as the favourites.

Valkenburg aan de Geul

Valkenburg aan de Geul

Valkenburg aan de Geul is a municipality situated in the southeastern Dutch province of Limburg. The name refers to the central town in the municipality, Valkenburg, and the small river Geul.

Tom Dumoulin

Tom Dumoulin

Tom Dumoulin is a retired Dutch professional road bicycle racer who last rode for UCI WorldTeam Team Jumbo–Visma. He has won nine stages across the three Grand Tours, five medals in three different World Championships and two Olympic silver medals.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a team sport played with a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse ball. It is the oldest organized sport in North America, with its origins with the indigenous people of North America as early as the 12th century. The game was extensively modified by European colonists, reducing the violence, to create its current collegiate and professional form.

Dutch Lacrosse Association

Dutch Lacrosse Association

The Dutch Lacrosse Association is the official governing body of lacrosse in the Netherlands. The Nederland Lacrosse Bond sponsors both a men's and women's national team. The national team programs are supported by a burgeoning domestic club league. The NLB is a full member of both the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) and the European Lacrosse Federation (ELF).

Politics

City council

Parties 2006 2010 2014
Senioren Partij Maastricht (SPM) 3 5 6
CDA 7 (6) 7 5
PvdA 13 7 5
D66 2 4 5
SP 3 2 5
GroenLinks 5 4 4
VVD 4 (3) 4 3
TON / Partij Veilig Maastricht (PVM) - 2 3
Stadsbelangen Mestreech (SBM) 2 2 1
Liberale Partij Maastricht (LPM) (1) 1 1
Christelijke Volkspartij (Maastricht) (CVP) (1) 1 1
Total 39 39 39

The municipal government of Maastricht consists of a city council, a mayor and a number of aldermen. The city council, a 39-member legislative body directly elected for four years, appoints the aldermen on the basis of a coalition agreement between two or more parties after each election. The 2006 municipal elections in the Netherlands were, as often, dominated by national politics and led to a shift from right to left throughout the country. In Maastricht, the traditional broad governing coalition of Christian Democrats (CDA), Labour (PvdA), Greens (GreenLeft) and Liberals (VVD) was replaced by a centre-left coalition of Labour, Christian Democrats and Greens. Two Labour aldermen were appointed, along with one Christian Democrat and one Green alderman. Due to internal disagreements, one of the VVD council members left the party in 2005 and formed a new liberal group in 2006 (Liberalen Maastricht). The other opposition parties in the current city council are the Socialist Party (SP), the Democrats (D66) and two local parties (Stadsbelangen Mestreech (SBM) and the Seniorenpartij).

Aldermen and mayors

The aldermen and the mayor make up the executive branch of the municipal government. After the previous mayor, Gerd Leers (CDA), decided to step down in January 2010 following the 'Bulgarian Villa' affair, an affair concerning a holiday villa project in Byala, Bulgaria, in which the mayor was alleged to have been involved in shady deals to raise the value of villas he had ownership of. Up until 1 July 2015 the mayor of Maastricht was Onno Hoes, a Liberal (VVD), the only male mayor in the country, who officially was married to a male person. In 2013 Hoes was the subject of some political commotion, after facts had been disclosed about intimate affairs with several other male persons. The affair had no consequences for his political career.[33] Because of a new affair in 2014 Hoes eventually stepped down.[34]

Since 1 July 2015 the current mayor of Maastricht has been Annemarie Penn-te Strake.[35] Penn is independent and serves no political party, although her husband is a former[36] chairman of the Maastricht Seniorenpartij.[37] She has served for the Dutch judicial system for many years in many different positions. During her tenure as mayor she still serves as attorney general.[38]

Cannabis

One controversial issue which has dominated Maastricht politics for many years and which has also affected national and international politics, is the city's approach to soft drugs. Under the pragmatic Dutch soft drug policy, a policy of non-enforcement, individuals may buy and use cannabis from 'coffeeshops' (cannabis bars) under certain conditions. Maastricht, like many other border towns, has seen a growing influx of 'drug tourists', mainly young people from Belgium, France and Germany, who provide a large amount of revenue for the coffeeshops (around 13) in the city centre. The city government, most notably ex-mayor Leers, have been actively promoting drug policy reform in order to deal with its negative side effects.

Two 'coffeeshop' boats at Maasboulevard
Two 'coffeeshop' boats at Maasboulevard

One of the proposals, known as the 'Coffee Corner Plan', proposed by then-mayor Leers and supported unanimously by the city council in 2008, was to relocate the coffeeshops from the city centre to the outskirts of the town (in some cases near the national Dutch-Belgian border).[39] The purpose of this plan was to reduce the impact of drug tourism on the city centre, such as parking problems and the illegal sale of hard drugs in the vicinity of the coffeeshops, and to monitor the sale and use of cannabis more closely in areas away from the crowded city centre. The Coffee Corner Plan, however, has met with fierce opposition from neighbouring municipalities (some in Belgium) and from members of the Dutch and Belgian parliament. The plan has been the subject of various legal challenges and has not been carried out up to this date (2014).

On 16 December 2010, the Court of Justice of the European Union upheld a local Maastricht ban on the sale of cannabis to foreign tourists, restricting entrance to coffeeshops to residents of Maastricht.[40] The ban did not affect scientific or medical usage. In 2011, the Dutch government introduced a similar national system, the wietpas ("cannabis pass"), restricting access to Dutch coffeeshops to residents of the Netherlands. After protests from local mayors about the difficulty of implementing the issuing of wietpasses, Dutch parliament in 2012 agreed to replace the pass by any proof of residency.[41] The new system has led to a slight reduction in drug tourism to cannabis shops in Maastricht but at the same time to an increase of drug dealing on the street.

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Christian Democratic Appeal

Christian Democratic Appeal

The Christian Democratic Appeal is a Christian-democratic political party in the Netherlands. It was originally formed in 1977 from a confederation of the Catholic People's Party, the Anti-Revolutionary Party and the Christian Historical Union; it has participated in all but three cabinets since it became a unitary party.

Labour Party (Netherlands)

Labour Party (Netherlands)

The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Netherlands.

Democrats 66

Democrats 66

Democrats 66 is a social liberal political party in the Netherlands, which positions itself in the centre of the political spectrum. It is a member of the Liberal International (LI) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).

Socialist Party (Netherlands)

Socialist Party (Netherlands)

The Socialist Party is a democratic socialist political party in the Netherlands. Founded in 1971 as the Communist Party of the Netherlands/Marxist–Leninist, the party has since moderated itself from Marxism–Leninism and Maoism towards democratic socialism and social democracy. The SP has also been described as left-wing populist and soft Eurosceptic, and is an advocate of Dutch republicanism.

GroenLinks

GroenLinks

GroenLinks is a green political party in the Netherlands.

People's Party for Freedom and Democracy

People's Party for Freedom and Democracy

The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy is a conservative-liberal political party in the Netherlands. The VVD, whose forerunner was the Freedom Party, is a party of the centre-right, which promotes private enterprise and economic liberalism.

Trots op Nederland

Trots op Nederland

Trots op Nederland is a political party in the Netherlands. It was founded by Rita Verdonk, an independent member of the House of Representatives, previously a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).

Mayor

Mayor

In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well as the means by which a mayor is elected or otherwise mandated. Depending on the system chosen, a mayor may be the chief executive officer of the municipal government, may simply chair a multi-member governing body with little or no independent power, or may play a solely ceremonial role. A mayor's duties and responsibilities may be to appoint and oversee municipal managers and employees, provide basic governmental services to constituents, and execute the laws and ordinances passed by a municipal governing body. Options for selection of a mayor include direct election by the public, or selection by an elected governing council or board.

Gerd Leers

Gerd Leers

Gerardus Bernardus Maria "Gerd" Leers is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party. He is the acting Mayor of Brunssum since 1 January 2018.

Onno Hoes

Onno Hoes

Onno Hoes is a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and businessman. He was the acting Mayor of Haarlemmermeer from 28 November 2017 till 10 July 2019

Transport

A2 motorway and Koning Willem-Alexandertunnel
A2 motorway and Koning Willem-Alexandertunnel
Maastricht main railway station
Maastricht main railway station
Arriva bus at Boschstraat
Arriva bus at Boschstraat
Maastricht Aachen Airport
Maastricht Aachen Airport

By car

Maastricht is served by the A2 and A79 motorways. The city can be reached from Brussels and Cologne in approximately one hour and from Amsterdam in about two and a half hours.

The A2 motorway runs through Maastricht in a double-decked tunnel. Before 2016, the A2 motorway ran through the city; heavily congested, it caused air pollution in the urban area. Construction of a two-level tunnel designed to solve these problems started in 2011 and was opened (in stages) by December 2016.[42]

In spite of several large underground car parks, parking in the city centre forms a major problem during weekends and bank holidays because of the large numbers of visitors. Parking fees are deliberately high to encourage visitors to use public transport or park and ride facilities away from the centre.

By train

Maastricht is served by three rail operators, all of which call at the main Maastricht railway station near the centre and two of which call at the smaller Maastricht Randwyck, near the business and university district. Only Arriva also calls at Maastricht Noord, which opened in 2013. Intercity trains northwards to Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Den Bosch and Utrecht are operated by Dutch Railways. The line to Heerlen, Valkenburg and Kerkrade is operated by Arriva. The National Railway Company of Belgium runs south to Liège in Belgium. The westbound railway to Hasselt (Belgium) closed in 1954. The former railway to Aachen was closed down in the 1980s. However, Aachen can still be reached via Heerlen.

By bus

Regular bus lines connect the city centre, outer areas, business districts and railway stations. The regional Arriva bus network extends to most parts of South Limburg and Aachen (Germany). Regional buses by De Lijn connect Maastricht with Hasselt, Tongeren and Maasmechelen, and one bus connects Maastricht with Liège, operated by TEC. Various bus companies such as Flixbus and Eurolines provide intercity bus services from Maastricht to many European destinations.

By air

Maastricht is served by the nearby Maastricht Aachen Airport (IATA: MST, ICAO: EHBK), in nearby Beek, and it is informally referred to by that name. The airport is located about 10 kilometres (6 miles) north of the city centre. The airport is served by Corendon Dutch Airlines and Ryanair which operate scheduled flights to destinations around the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, North-Africa and also London Stansted Airport from March 2022. There are also charter flights to Lourdes which are operated by Enter Air.

By boat

Maastricht has a river port (Beatrixhaven) and is connected by water with Belgium and the rest of the Netherlands through the river Meuse, the Juliana Canal, the Albert Canal and the Zuid-Willemsvaart. Although there are no regular boat connections to other cities, various organized boat trips for tourists connect Maastricht with Belgium cities such as Liège.

Distances to other cities

These distances are as the crow flies and so do not represent actual overland distances.

  • Belgium Liège: 25.5 km (15.8 mi) south
  • Germany Aachen: 31.0 km (19.3 mi) east
  • Netherlands Eindhoven: 66.8 km (41.5 mi) north-west
  • Germany Düsseldorf: 86.2 km (53.6 mi) north-east
  • Germany Cologne: 89.6 km (55.7 mi) east
  • Belgium Brussels: 95.1 km (59.1 mi) west
  • Belgium Antwerp: 97.8 km (60.8 mi) north-west
  • Germany Bonn: 99.9 km (62.1 mi) south-east
  • Belgium Charleroi: 102.1 km (63.4 mi) south-west
  • Belgium Mons: 130.8 km (81.3 mi) south-west
  • Luxembourg Luxembourg City: 141.4 km (87.9 mi) south
  • Belgium Ghent: 141.5 km (87.9 mi) west
  • Netherlands Utrecht: 142.4 km (88.5 mi) north-west
  • Netherlands Rotterdam: 144.5 km (89.8 mi) north-west
  • Netherlands Amsterdam: 175.1 km (108.8 mi) north-west
  • France Lille: 186.3 km (115.8 mi) west
  • Germany Frankfurt am Main: 228.8 km (142.2 mi) south-east
  • Netherlands Groningen: 269.6 km (167.5 mi) north
  • France Strasbourg: 288.7 km (179.4 mi) south-east
  • France Paris: 325.6 km (202.3 mi) south-west
  • Germany Hannover: 325.7 km (202.4 mi) north-east
  • Germany Stuttgart: 341.3 km (212.1 mi) south-east
  • Switzerland Basel: 390.2 km (242.5 mi) south-east
  • United Kingdom London: 411.5 km (255.7 mi) north-west
  • Switzerland Zürich: 438.7 km (272.6 mi) south-east

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A2 motorway (Netherlands)

A2 motorway (Netherlands)

The A2 motorway is a motorway in the Netherlands. It is one of the busiest highways in the Netherlands. The road connects the city of Amsterdam, near the Amstel interchange with the Belgian border, near Maastricht (NL) and Liège (B), and the Belgian A25 road.

Maastricht railway station

Maastricht railway station

Maastricht railway station is located in Maastricht in Limburg, Netherlands. It is the main railway station in Limburg's capital city. It is the southern terminus of the Alkmaar–Maastricht intercity service by NS. Additionally, Arriva and the Belgian NMBS serve the station with local trains.

Maastricht Aachen Airport

Maastricht Aachen Airport

Maastricht Aachen Airport is a regional airport in Beek in Limburg, Netherlands, located 5 NM northeast of Maastricht and 15 NM northwest of Aachen, Germany. It is the second-largest hub for cargo flights in the Netherlands. As of 2016, the airport had a passenger throughput of 176,000 and handled 60,000 tons of cargo.

A79 motorway (Netherlands)

A79 motorway (Netherlands)

The A79 motorway is a motorway in the Netherlands. It is located entirely in the Dutch province of Limburg.

Brussels

Brussels

Brussels, officially the Brussels-Capital Region, is a region of Belgium comprising 19 municipalities, including the City of Brussels, which is the capital of Belgium. The Brussels-Capital Region is located in the central portion of the country and is a part of both the French Community of Belgium and the Flemish Community, but is separate from the Flemish Region and the Walloon Region.

Cologne

Cologne

Cologne is the largest city of the German western state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the fourth-most populous city of Germany with 1.1 million inhabitants in the city proper and 3.6 million people in the urban region. Centered on the left (west) bank of the Rhine, Cologne is about 35 km (22 mi) southeast of NRW's state capital Düsseldorf and 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Bonn, the former capital of West Germany.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population of 921,402 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the urban area and 2,480,394 in the metropolitan area. Located in the Dutch province of North Holland, Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the "Venice of the North", for its large number of canals, now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Maastricht Randwyck railway station

Maastricht Randwyck railway station

Maastricht Randwyck railway station is located in the suburb Randwyck in Maastricht, the Netherlands. The station is located near the MECC Conference Centre, Academic Hospital Maastricht and parts of Maastricht University.

Maastricht Noord railway station

Maastricht Noord railway station

Maastricht Noord is a railway station in the north of Maastricht, the Netherlands. Construction of the station started in March 2011 and after a few delays it opened on 17 November 2013 on the Maastricht–Aachen railway, which is part of the Heuvellandlijn. The station features 360 car parking spaces and park and ride facilities with connections to the centre of Maastricht.

Eindhoven

Eindhoven

Eindhoven is a city and municipality in the Netherlands, located in the southern province of North Brabant of which it is its largest and is also located in the Dutch part of the natural region the Campine. With a population of 238,326 on 1 January 2022, it is the fifth-largest city of the Netherlands and the largest outside the Randstad conurbation.

's-Hertogenbosch

's-Hertogenbosch

's-Hertogenbosch, colloquially known as Den Bosch, is a city and municipality in the Netherlands with a population of 157,486. It is the capital of the province of North Brabant and its fourth largest by population. The city is south of the Maas river and near the Waal.

Heerlen

Heerlen

Heerlen is a city and a municipality in the southeast of the Netherlands. It is the third largest settlement proper in the province of Limburg. Measured as municipality, it is the fourth municipality in the province of Limburg.

Education

Maastricht University, Campus Randwyck
Maastricht University, Campus Randwyck
Students at work at UM Law School
Students at work at UM Law School
Hotel Management School at Bethlehem Castle
Hotel Management School at Bethlehem Castle

Secondary education

Tertiary education

Other

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Maastricht University

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is a public research university in Maastricht, Netherlands. Founded in 1976, it is the second youngest of the thirteen Dutch universities.

Bethlehem Castle

Bethlehem Castle

Bethlehem Castle is a castle in Maastricht, in the south of the Netherlands. It was built in the 12th century. It is one of the oldest castles in the Netherlands. Nowadays it serves as a hotel and as part of the Maastricht Hotel Management School.

Sint-Maartenscollege

Sint-Maartenscollege

The Sint-Maartenscollege is a state secondary school in Maastricht, the Netherlands. It operates two buildings and offers all streams of the Dutch secondary education system including the VMBO, HAVO and VWO.

United World College Maastricht

United World College Maastricht

The United World College Maastricht (UWCM) is a United World College located in Maastricht, the Netherlands. The school was established in 2009 and moved to a new campus in the Maastricht neighbourhood of Amby in 2013.

University College Maastricht

University College Maastricht

University College Maastricht (UCM) is an English language, internationally oriented, liberal arts and sciences college housed in the 15th century Nieuwenhof monastery in Maastricht, Netherlands. Founded in 2002, it is the second of its kind in the Netherlands. The college is part of Maastricht University and offers a selective honours programme with a high workload. The Dutch Higher Education Guide ranked UCM the best bachelors programme in the Netherlands in 2015 and 2016; in 2012, 2014 and 2015 they ranked UCM the best university college in the Netherlands. In 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018 Elsevier Magazine ranked UCM the best university college in the Netherlands in terms of student satisfaction.

Maastricht School of Management

Maastricht School of Management

The Maastricht School of Management (MSM) is a management school in Maastricht, the Netherlands. On 20 May 2022, the Maastricht School of Management board agreed to its integration into Maastricht University. From 1 September 2022 MSM will be one of UM's six faculties within the Maastricht University School of Business and Economics (SBE). MSM's activities in the fields of education, research, and capacity building will continue as part of University of Maastricht.

Sittard

Sittard

Sittard is a city in the Netherlands, situated in the southernmost province of Limburg.

Heerlen

Heerlen

Heerlen is a city and a municipality in the southeast of the Netherlands. It is the third largest settlement proper in the province of Limburg. Measured as municipality, it is the fourth municipality in the province of Limburg.

Maastricht Academy of Music

Maastricht Academy of Music

The Maastricht Academy of Music, Dutch: Conservatorium Maastricht, located in the city of Maastricht, is one of nine music academies in the Netherlands. The academy is a faculty of the Zuyd University of Applied Sciences for the Bachelor programme and the "Zuid Nederlandse Hogeschool voor Muziek" for the Master programme, in co-operation with the Fontys Academy of Music and Performing Arts. The academy provides advanced vocational training.

Teikyo University

Teikyo University

Teikyo University is a private university headquartered in the Itabashi ward of Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1931 as Teikyo Commercial High School (帝京商業高等学校). It became Teikyo University in 1966. It is part of Teikyo Group, a multinational educational foundation that also operates language and cultural exchange facilities at pre-university levels in various countries.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Netherlands

Twin towns

Maastricht is twinned with:

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List of twin towns and sister cities in the Netherlands

List of twin towns and sister cities in the Netherlands

This is a list of municipalities in the Netherlands which have standing links to local communities in other countries. In most cases, the association, especially when formalised by local government, is known as "town twinning" or "sister cities".

China

China

China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and borders fourteen countries by land, the most of any country in the world, tied with Russia. With an area of approximately 9.6 million square kilometres (3,700,000 sq mi), it is the world's third largest country by total land area. The country consists of 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities, and two special administrative regions. The national capital is Beijing, and the most populous city and largest financial center is Shanghai.

Chengdu

Chengdu

Chengdu, alternatively romanized as Chengtu, is a sub-provincial city which serves as the capital of the Chinese province of Sichuan. With a population of 20,937,757 inhabitants during the 2020 Chinese census, it is the fourth most populous city in China, and it is the only city apart from the four direct-administered municipalities with a population of over 20 million. It is traditionally the hub in Southwest China.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Nicaragua, officially the Republic of Nicaragua, is the largest country in Central America, bordered by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Managua is the country's capital and largest city. As of 2015, it was estimated to be the second largest city in Central America. Nicaragua's multiethnic population of six million includes people of mestizo, Indigenous, European and African heritage. The main language is Spanish. Indigenous tribes on the Mosquito Coast speak their own languages and English.

El Rama

El Rama

Rama is a municipality and a city in the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region of Nicaragua.

Germany

Germany

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second-most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated between the Baltic and North seas to the north, and the Alps to the south; it covers an area of 357,022 square kilometres (137,847 sq mi), with a population of around 84 million within its 16 constituent states. Germany borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the west. The nation's capital and most populous city is Berlin and its main financial centre is Frankfurt; the largest urban area is the Ruhr.

Koblenz

Koblenz

Koblenz is a German city on the banks of the Rhine and the Moselle, a multinational tributary.

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the southwest, and the North Sea to the northwest. It covers an area of 30,528 km2 (11,787 sq mi) and has a population of more than 11.5 million, making it the 22nd most densely populated country in the world and the 6th most densely populated country in Europe, with a density of 376/km2 (970/sq mi). Belgium is part of an area known as the Low Countries, historically a somewhat larger region than the Benelux group of states, as it also included parts of northern France. The capital and largest city is Brussels; other major cities are Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, Liège, Bruges, Namur, and Leuven.

Liège

Liège

Liège is a major city and municipality of Wallonia and the capital of the Belgian province of Liège. The city is situated in the valley of the Meuse, in the east of Belgium, not far from borders with the Netherlands and with Germany. In Liège, the Meuse meets the river Ourthe. The city is part of the sillon industriel, the former industrial backbone of Wallonia. It still is the principal economic and cultural centre of the region.

Notable people

See also: Category:People from Maastricht
Peter Debye
Peter Debye
Tom Dumoulin
Tom Dumoulin
Jan Pieter Minckeleers
Jan Pieter Minckeleers
Henrietta d'Oultremont
Henrietta d'Oultremont
André Rieu
André Rieu
Victor de Stuers
Victor de Stuers

Born in Maastricht

Residing in Maastricht

Saint Servatius
Saint Servatius

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Henrietta d'Oultremont

Henrietta d'Oultremont

Countess Henriëtte Adriana Maria Ludovica Flora d'Oultremont de Wégimont was the second, morganatic, wife of the first Dutch king, William I. Being the morganatic wife of the King, she was never a queen.

André Rieu

André Rieu

André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu is a Dutch violinist and conductor best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra.

Jean-Eugène-Charles Alberti

Jean-Eugène-Charles Alberti

Johannes Echarius Carolus or Jean Eugène Charles Alberti, was a Dutch painter of Italian descent who worked in Paris for most of his life.

Henri Arends

Henri Arends

Henri Arends was a Dutch conductor.

Doris Baaten

Doris Baaten

Doris Baaten is a Dutch voice actress.

Gerard Bergholtz

Gerard Bergholtz

Gerard "Pummy" Bergholtz is a retired association football player and manager from the Netherlands.

Mieke de Boer

Mieke de Boer

Mieke de Boer is a former darts player from the Netherlands, who was nicknamed Bambie.

Alphons Boosten

Alphons Boosten

Alphons Boosten was a Dutch architect, who mostly practiced in the province of Limburg. His works include several large housing complexes and more than twenty churches.

Joseph Bruyère

Joseph Bruyère

Joseph Bruyere or Bruyère is a former Belgian cyclist.

Jeu van Bun

Jeu van Bun

Johannes Wijbrandus Mathias "Jeu" van Bun was a Dutch footballer who played as a right back for MVV Maastricht and the Netherlands national team. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics.

Jean-Baptiste Coclers

Jean-Baptiste Coclers

Jean-Baptiste Coclers was a Southern Netherlandish portrait painter and a painter of floral still lifes and historical subjects.

Louis Bernard Coclers

Louis Bernard Coclers

Louis Bernard Coclers was a Southern Netherlandish portrait painter and engraver who worked mainly in Liège, Maastricht, Leiden and Amsterdam.

Local anthem

In 2002 the municipal government officially adopted a local anthem (Limburgish (Maastrichtian variant): Mestreechs Volksleed, Dutch: Maastrichts Volkslied) composed of lyrics in Maastrichtian. The theme was originally written by Ciprian Porumbescu (1853–1883).[43]

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Limburgish

Limburgish

Limburgish, also called Limburgan, Limburgian, or Limburgic, is a West Germanic language spoken in the Dutch and Belgian provinces of Limburg and in the neighbouring regions of Germany.

Maastrichtian dialect

Maastrichtian dialect

Maastrichtian or Maastrichtian Limburgish is the dialect and variant of Limburgish spoken in the Dutch city of Maastricht alongside the Dutch language. In terms of speakers, it is the most widespread variant of Limburgish, and it is a tonal one. Like many of the Limburgish dialects spoken in neighbouring Belgian Limburg, Maastrichtian retained many Gallo-Romance influences in its vocabulary.

Dutch language

Dutch language

Dutch is a West Germanic language spoken by about 25 million people as a first language and 5 million as a second language. It is the third most widely spoken Germanic language, after its close relatives German and English. Afrikaans is a separate but somewhat mutually intelligible daughter language spoken, to some degree, by at least 16 million people, mainly in South Africa and Namibia, evolving from the Cape Dutch dialects of Southern Africa. The dialects used in Belgium and in Suriname, meanwhile, are all guided by the Dutch Language Union.

Ciprian Porumbescu

Ciprian Porumbescu

Ciprian Porumbescu was a Romanian composer born in Șipotele Sucevei in Bukovina. He was among the most celebrated Romanian composers of his time; his popular works include Crai nou, Song of the Tricolour, Song for Spring, Ballad for violin and piano, and Serenada. In addition, he composed the music for the Romanian patriotic "Song of Unity", also known as "Pe-al nostru steag e scris Unire", which was Romania's anthem from 1975 to 1977 and is currently used for Albania's national anthem, "Himni i Flamurit". His work spreads over various forms and musical genres, but the majority of his work is choral and operetta.

Gallery

  • The Meuse

    The Meuse

  • Dinghuis

    Dinghuis

  • Townhall

    Townhall

  • Mosae Forum

    Mosae Forum

  • Saint Servatius Basilica

    Saint Servatius Basilica

  • Onze-Lieve-Vrouweplein

    Onze-Lieve-Vrouweplein

  • Lang Grachtje

    Lang Grachtje

  • Helpoort ("Hell's Gate")

    Helpoort ("Hell's Gate")

  • Pater Vink Tower

    Pater Vink Tower

  • Bastion Haet ende Nijt

    Bastion Haet ende Nijt

  • Stadspark

    Stadspark

  • Jeker river

    Jeker river

  • Bassin harbour

    Bassin harbour

  • Train station, Wyck

    Train station, Wyck

  • Stationsplein, Wyck

    Stationsplein, Wyck

  • Hoeg Brögk

    Hoeg Brögk

  • Charles Eyckpark, Céramique

    Charles Eyckpark, Céramique

  • Public library, Céramique

    Public library, Céramique

  • Fortress Sint Pieter

    Fortress Sint Pieter

  • View from Slavante

    View from Slavante

  • Castle ruin Lichtenberg

    Castle ruin Lichtenberg

  • Huis de Torentjes

    Huis de Torentjes

  • ENCI quarry

    ENCI quarry

  • View on Cannerberg

    View on Cannerberg

Vrijthof square, early morning
Vrijthof square, early morning

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Meuse

Meuse

The Meuse or Maas is a major European river, rising in France and flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea from the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta. It has a total length of 925 km.

Sint Servaasbrug

Sint Servaasbrug

Sint Servaasbrug is an arched stone cyclist and pedestrian bridge across the river Meuse in Maastricht, Netherlands. It is named after Saint Servatius, the first bishop of Maastricht, and it has been called the oldest bridge in the Netherlands.

Basilica of Our Lady, Maastricht

Basilica of Our Lady, Maastricht

The Basilica of Our Lady is a Romanesque church in the historic center of Maastricht, Netherlands. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Diocese of Roermond. The church is often referred to as the Star of the Sea, after the church's main devotion, Our Lady, Star of the Sea.

Bastion

Bastion

A bastion or bulwark is a structure projecting outward from the curtain wall of a fortification, most commonly angular in shape and positioned at the corners of the fort. The fully developed bastion consists of two faces and two flanks, with fire from the flanks being able to protect the curtain wall and the adjacent bastions. Compared with the medieval fortified towers they replaced, bastion fortifications offered a greater degree of passive resistance and more scope for ranged defence in the age of gunpowder artillery. As military architecture, the bastion is one element in the style of fortification dominant from the mid 16th to mid 19th centuries.

Jeker

Jeker

The Jeker is a river in Belgium and in the Netherlands. It is a left-bank tributary to the river Meuse. The source of the Jeker is near the village of Geer, in the Belgian province of Liège. The river is approximately 54 kilometres (34 mi) long, of which about 50 kilometres (31 mi) is in Belgium and 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) in the Netherlands, where it flows into the river Meuse at Maastricht (Netherlands).

Sint-Lambertuskerk (Maastricht)

Sint-Lambertuskerk (Maastricht)

The Sint-Lambertuskerk is a former church in the city of Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands.

Château Neercanne

Château Neercanne

Château Neercanne is a restaurant located in Maastricht in the Netherlands. It is a fine dining restaurant that was awarded one or two Michelin stars in the periods 1957-1982 and 1986–2018.

Source: "Maastricht", Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, (2023, February 20th), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maastricht.

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Further Reading

Limburg (Netherlands)

Meuse

Limburg (Belgium)

Roermond

Jeker

Servatius of Tongeren

Mosan art

Echt, Netherlands

Basilica of Saint Servatius

Sint Pieter

Monulph

Maastricht Natural History Museum

Jekerkwartier

Mount Saint Peter

Binnenstad (Maastricht)

Vrijthof

Pilgrimage of the Relics, Maastricht

Saint John Church (Maastricht)
See also
References
Notes
  1. ^ "Mrs. Annemarie Penn-te Strake" [Mr. Annemarie Penn-te Strake] (in Dutch). Gemeente Maastricht. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  2. ^ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Postcodetool for 6211DW". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  4. ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; Regionale kerncijfers Nederland" [Regional core figures Netherlands]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  6. ^ Including the Belgian municipalities of Lanaken, Riemst and Maasmechelen to the west and Visé to the south.
  7. ^ Basically, the metropolitan areas of Maastricht, Liège, Hasselt-Genk, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen-Kerkrade and Aachen-Düren constitute the densely populated urban core of the Meuse–Rhine Euroregion.
  8. ^ "Maastricht". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.). HarperCollins. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Maastricht" (US) and "Maastricht". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Maastricht". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Zicht op Maastricht". zichtopmaastricht.nl. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  12. ^ "The Economist Charlemagne: Return to Maastricht Oct 8th 2011". Economist.com. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  13. ^ As Treiectinsem urbem, "the city of Trajectum", in Gregory of Tours, Historia Francorum, 2, 5 Archived 16 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine (late 6th ct.). M. Gysseling, Toponymisch Woordenboek van België, Nederland, Luxemburg, Noord-Frankrijk en West-Duitsland (vóór 1226) (Tongeren, 1960) p. 646.
  14. ^ Gysseling 1960, pp. 646–647
  15. ^ Bredero, Adriaan H. (1994), Christendom and Christianity in the Middle Ages: The Relations Between Religion, Church, and Society, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, p. 352, ISBN 978-0-8028-4992-2.
  16. ^ About 77% of Maastricht's relatively small Jewish community of 505 members did not survive the war. P.J.H. Ubachs & I.M.H. Evers (2005): Historische Encyclopedie Maastricht, pp. 256-257. Walburg Pers, Zutphen. ISBN 90-5730-399-X.
  17. ^ Gnesotto, N. (1992). European union after Minsk and Maastricht. International Affairs. 68(2), 223-232.
  18. ^ Maastricht Van onze verslaggever. "Coffee Corner: Dagblad de Limburger". Limburger.nl. Archived from the original on 31 August 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  19. ^ "Klimaatviewer". Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  20. ^ "Daggegevens van het weer in Nederland". Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Bevolking; geslacht, leeftijd, nationaliteit en regio, 1 januari (in Dutch)". Bevolking; Geslacht, Leeftijd, Nationaliteit en Regio, 1 Januari. Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek. 2014: 1. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  22. ^ "Bevolking op 1 januari; leeftijd, geboorteland en regio (in Dutch)". Bevolking Op 1 Januari; Leeftijd, Geboorteland en Regio. Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek. 201w: 1. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  23. ^ Gussenhoven, C. & Aarts, F. (1999). "The dialect of Maastricht" (PDF). University of Nijmegen, Centre for Language Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  24. ^ Kessels-van der Heijde, Maria (2002). Maastricht, Maestricht, Mestreech. Hilversum, Netherlands: Uitgeverij Verloren. pp. 11–12. ISBN 9065507132. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  25. ^ 'Religie en kerkbezoek naar gemeente 2010-2014', on website cbs.nl, 13 May 2015 (download Excel file).
  26. ^ "Kerkelijkheid en kerkbezoek, 2010/2013". Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek.
  27. ^ "Entre Deux". Entredeux.nl. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  28. ^ "Top shelves". The Guardian. London. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  29. ^ "Category:Parks in Maastricht - Wikimedia Commons". commons.wikimedia.org.
  30. ^ "Category:Meuse River in Maastricht - Wikimedia Commons". commons.wikimedia.org.
  31. ^ "Category:Sint Pietersberg - Wikimedia Commons". commons.wikimedia.org.
  32. ^ "Category:Dousberg - Wikimedia Commons". commons.wikimedia.org.
  33. ^ "Onno Hoes mag blijven". Telegraaf. 19 December 2013. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  34. ^ Grindstad, Ingrid. "Maastricht mayor Hoes resigns amidst sex smear campaign", NL Times, Amsterdam, 10 December 2014. Retrieved on 10 December 2014.
  35. ^ "Annemarie Penn geïnstalleerd als burgemeester Maastricht". 1 July 2015.
  36. ^ "Olaf Penn stopt bij Senioren Partij Maastricht". 1Limburg. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  37. ^ "Annemarie Penn nieuwe burgemeester Maastricht - NU - Het laatste nieuws het eerst op NU.nl". www.nu.nl. 23 April 2015.
  38. ^ "Mr. J.M. Penn-te Strake - Openbaar Ministerie". 3 July 2015. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  39. ^ Cannabis Cafes Get Nudge to Fringes of a Dutch City, The New York Times, 20 August 2006.
  40. ^ "Marc Michel Josemans v. Burgemeester van Maastricht, case C‑137/09". Court of Justice of the European Union. 16 December 2010. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012.
  41. ^ "Eindhoven joins opposition to cannabis pass system". Dutchnews.nl. 9 February 2011.
  42. ^ "A2maastricht.nl - Homepage A2 Maastricht". www.a2maastricht.nl. Archived from the original on 3 May 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  43. ^ Municipality of Maastricht (2008). "Municipality of Maastricht: Maastrichts Volkslied". N.A. Maastricht. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
Literature
  • Lourens, Piet; Lucassen, Jan (1997). Inwonertallen van Nederlandse steden ca. 1300–1800. Amsterdam: NEHA. ISBN 9057420082.
Bibliography
See also: Bibliography of the history of Maastricht
External links
Categories

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