Maastricht, a city in the Netherlands that is always fascinating

24/9/2019

City ■
Definitely visit Maastricht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. It’s a city where you can taste the specific, vibrant culture that has been shaped over the centuries by Germanic and Romanesque influences. This extensive colour palette is the secret of its appeal, which keeps every visit fascinating.

BY HANAN, 3 minutes read

The cultural wealth of the city attracts visitors to the historic city centre and the varied museums. Maastricht tempts you to endless shopping with beautiful boutiques, and let you enjoy regional dishes. Moreover, what makes Maastricht special is its location in the valley of the Maas river, centrally in a hilly landscape.

The centre of Maastricht is very compact. Large parts of the city are a pedestrian zone and most highlights are within walking distance. The Servaasbrug connects the old centre with the trendy district "Wyck". And from the neighbouring "Céramique" via the "Hoeg Brögk" and the city park you will be back in the city centre in no time. On the edge of this city park you will find a nice youth hostel Stayokay Maastricht with a terrace on the banks of the Maas river.

City along the Maas river

Maastricht owes its existence to the Maas river. The bridge that the Romans built to cross the Maas river created a settlement on the bank, which grew into the city that we now know. If you look at the city from the water, you will be introduced to a completely different Maastricht. From the centre you can sail to the historic inner harbour, along the Mount Saint Peter, in the direction of Liège or Visé in Belgium.

Meeting point caves of the Sint Pieters Mountain and at the background the inner harbour.

Caves of the Mount Saint Peter

It's worthwhile to visit the caves - actually mines - under the Mount Saint Peter. This is an underground labyrinth with more than twenty thousand corridors that were created by marl extraction. Both 'block breakers' and 'artists' have left their traces behind, visible in sometimes old wall drawings. The caves also served as a hiding place during the siege of the city; some rooms from World War II are still partially intact.

Natural History Museum

Art stimulates, seduces, surprises, emotions or shocks. Similarly, in the museums of Maastricht. But there's more. You can also taste the history and meet Bèr, the famous Mosasaurus in the Natural History Museum of Maastricht. Here you make a journey through time, from the coal age and the Cretaceous Sea with the Mosasaurus to the aquarium with fish that live in the Limburg streams today.

Limburg pie and coffee.

Culinary

Whatever you eat, it always tastes. The culinary offer in Maastricht overwhelms you at all levels. Cheeses, mustard, cave mushrooms or tender lamb. For centuries, Maastricht has benefited from the influences of the rich Belgian and French cuisines. Be sure to try a typical Maastricht dish, such as 'Zoervleis' (sour meat, a kind of stew dish), 'Huidvleis' or the strongly scented and tasty 'Rommedoe' cheese and a delicious piece of Limburg pie.

Hostel tip

Stayokay Maastricht

I slept already a few times in this hostel in Maastricht and can highly recommend it. For a very affordable price you can sleep on the banks of the river Maas in Maastricht.

INFO
www.stayokay.com

Hanan
Always curious about life, culture and people

Hanan: text, photo • 23 December 2012, updated 24 September 2019

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