Maastricht Treaty

Maastricht Treaty

As the Royal Harmonie Sainte Cécile Eijsden played a serenade outside, twelve heads of government of the European Union walked into the ‘Gouvernement’ building in Maastricht on 7 February 1992. It was an historic day. Seated in the meeting room, they signed the Maastricht Treaty, heralding the introduction of the euro and other big changes.

Many residents are quite proud that history was written in their area. This treaty put Maastricht on the map. Even today, you can still see all kinds of references to the ‘new’ Europe when walking through the modern architectural district of Céramique. The architecture in the city also tells many stories. For this reason, we wrote a blog which focuses on modern architecture so that you can familiarize yourself with the city in an interesting way.

Plein 1992 square

Walking through the modern district of Céramique, you’ll see all kinds of references to the ‘new’ Europe. For example, the bustling Plein 1992 square is named after the Maastricht Treaty. Children hopscotch over bronze tiles engraved with the ‘€’ sign or the year ‘1992’.

Just down the road, on the roundabout at Avenue Céramique, the silver stars of the spectacular ‘Stars of Europe’ artwork sparkle as they rotate in the wind, on top of towering aluminium poles. The twelve large stars symbolize the countries that signed the treaty, and the smaller stars represent new member states.

The provincial government building

The provincial government building on the Meuse is open to the public, so you can see how and where this historic event took place. In December 1991, the European Council attended the Euro Summit in the banquet hall. The meetings were held over two days and continued well into the early hours. Queen Beatrix received the twelve heads of government at Château Neercanne, a Michelin-star restaurant. A plaque in the wine cellar immortalizes the signatures of the French President Mitterand and the German Prime Minister Kohl alongside other heads of state.

Two months later, the Maastricht Treaty was signed in the Statenzaal room (aptly named ‘the room of the States’). The Gouvernement has created a special exhibit with a copy of the Treaty for visitors to look at. There are also pictures of the Euro Summit and the Treaty being signed.

The Maastricht Treaty was awarded a European Heritage Label in 2018. The label is displayed on the wall of the Gouvernement as a symbol of European ideals, values, history, and integration.

Outdoor Exhibition 'Everyday People'
Outdoor Exhibition 'Everyday People'
until 18 June
Unique life-size sculptures bring streets to life.
City tour: The Historic heart of Maastricht (start Centrum)
City tour: The Historic heart of Maastricht (start Centrum)
until 5 January 2025
This tour is the most popular and best known in Maastricht, and for good reason. One route joins together...

Maastricht Treaty

1992

The signing of the Maastricht Treaty
The ‘Groene Loper’
The ‘Groene Loper’

2018

Creates a calm and open space
Cretaceous sea
Cretaceous sea

70 million years ago

Maastricht beneath the sea
Roman settlement
Roman settlement

100 AD

Maastricht | Mosa Trajectum
Religious hotspot
Religious hotspot

Until 1100 AD

A safe haven for defenceless monks.
The Middle Ages
The Middle Ages

Circa 500-1500 AD

Living safely behind the city walls
Garrison city
Garrison city

16th - 19th century

Thousands of soldiers marching on the cobblestones
Early industrial city
Early industrial city

19th century

The oldest industrial city in the Netherlands
The Second World War
The Second World War

1940

The caves offered safety
International university city
International university city

After 1969

Intellectuals go to Maastricht