Dive into Maastricht's industrial past

Maastricht can call itself the 'oldest industrial city in the Netherlands' because this is where, almost 200 years ago, the pottery industry originated. The city looked completely different in those days than it does today. Above many houses hangs a veil of grey coming from the smoke from the chimneys of the ceramics factories that go on 24 hours a day, with a lot of noise. The booming industry urgently needs space. But because Maastricht has a military function as a garrison town, everything takes place within the fortifications. The factories can hardly expand and for the workers it is almost impossible to get housing.

Across Bosschstraat, another metamorphosis: inland port 't Bassin. In the 19th century, it was an important transport artery for Regout's products. Some atmospheric old warehouses testify to this. 't Bassin is now a marina for holidaymakers where the terraces offer nice views of refurbished industrial monuments. Old warehouses now house The Muziekgieterij, a centre for pop music. A former turn-of-the-century factory building is now home to Bureau Europa, platform for architecture, urban planning and design. Lumière Cinema is located the former power plant and boiler houses of the Sphinx factory. The cradle of Dutch industry has become the incubator for creative industries.

On Kleine Stokstraat stands the statue Mestreechter Geis. Sculptor Mari Andriessen depicted the Burgundian and carnivalesque way of life of Maastricht people. Today, Stokstraat is one of the most luxurious and exclusive shopping streets in the Netherlands, where it is great to stroll around. As cheerful and chic as the neighbourhood is now, the Stokstraat quarter was sad and shabby until the 1960s. By 1880, the stately 17th-century houses were dilapidated and in the hands of slum landlords. Countless flats had been turned from the lavish houses. The backyards were filled with ramshackle shelters for working-class families. The present-day square Op de Thermen, for instance, was completely filled with slum dwellings in those days. Many workers of the Sphinx lived in this neighbourhood. Hygienic conditions were harrowing and infectious diseases regularly broke out as a result.

On the other side of the Maas you will find the modern district of Céramique. It takes its name from the ceramics factory that stood there for decades. Petrus Regout's success leads entrepreneurs Wijnand Clermont and Charles Chainaye to also start a pottery factory on a site in the Wyck district. The factory, financed with Belgian money, grows rapidly, partly with staff leaving Regout's premises. For almost a hundred years, the two Maastricht pottery factories Sphinx and Société Céramique (founded in 1863) are major competitors.

Architect Jo Coenen led the architectural metamorphosis of this area from 1987 and designed the Centre Céramique named after the Société Céramique himself. Besides the city library and the music school, this building houses the Maastricht Museum, which has a permanent presentation of characteristic products from the Maastricht ceramics industry. The stately director's residence of Société Céramique, Villa Jaunez, stands nearby and the characteristic Bordenhal - home of Toneelgroep Maastricht - has also been restored, as an ode to its industrial past. Bonnefanten has owned the Polling Collection since 1993. An extensive collection of pottery from Sphinx and Société Céramique. Volunteers from the Maastricht Pottery Association help to open up this collection.