Royal pearls in Maastricht

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In 2022, we celebrated Koningsdag in Maastricht and visitors could discover the city in an extra festive way. Here are some places with a royal touch, an orange edge. For example: the place where King Willem-Alexander himself once tasted wine or the location where young talent managed to win Queen Máxima's heart.

Royal Sphinx | Nekum farmstead | Kings Tree Stadspark (city park) | The Provinciehuis | Jan van Eyck Academie | The Maastricht Angel | Spanish Government | Royal Mosa | Purveyor to the royal household Frissen Pieters | Court-supplier Blanche Dael |

Royal Sphinx

The Netherlands has the lion. Maastricht has the Sphinx: the figurehead of Royal Sphinx pottery factory. The place where the Industrial Revolution once began for the Netherlands. And, where the famous 'boerenbont crockery' comes from. As well as the world-famous toilet bowls. But that aside. Not for nothing is Sphinx also called 'the industrial face of Maastricht'. The factory closed its doors for good in 2009. However, the industrial character of that site and the surrounding area has been preserved and has turned today's Sphinx Quarter into a wonderfully contemporary, creative, international and 'upcoming' part of town.

  • Sphinx Maastricht Eiffel building front
  • Eiffel Maastricht workstation

Nekum farmstead

Cheers! And they lived happily ever after. A fairytale wedding of a fairytale couple. Including delectable wine from, yes, a fairytale place. Indeed, at the wedding of, then Crown Prince, Willem Alexander and Princess Maxima, sixty bottles of 'Riesling 1999' were served from Hoeve Nekum. You will find this Maastricht vineyard just outside the city, in the serene green and hilly countryside. You can taste the white Riesling and other Maastricht/local wines here. Close your eyes and dream away again to that historic, royal moment on 2 February 2002.

Kings Tree Stadspark (city park)

Maastricht and trees go well together. In the parks, along the lanes and canals, you will find plenty of them. They provide a fresh, green appearance and the many lime trees in particular spread a lovely scent. Among all those trees, you will also find a number of Orange trees. Trees planted in the past 100 years to mark important events in the Royal Household. The King's Tree in the city park, near the wooden bridge over the Jeker River, is one such tree. It was planted in 2013 in honour of the change of the throne. You will recognise it by the shiny silver King's Gate.

The Provinciehuis

The striking Limburg Gouvernement on Maastricht's skyline is not only the place where Limburg politics are conducted. It is also the place where The Maastricht Treaty was signed on 7 February 1992. Moreover, for members of the Royal Family, it is also a 'home' in Limburg, where members regularly stay on historic occasions. For instance, it was Princess Beatrix who officially opened the Provincial House in 1986. Moreover, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima started their visit to Limburg here on 12 June 2013 after the change of throne on 30 April earlier that year. Did you know that the Provincial House even has a special King's Room used during the visits? You'll find out all about it on a tour of the Gouvernement.

Jan van Eyck Academie

She loves it. Our Queen Maxima. Of art. And especially from young talent. Her visit to the Jan van Eyck Academie in March 2018 was therefore entirely dedicated to the work of young autonomous artists and the way they do their work and are guided in it. She was inspired by the unique, interdisciplinary approach taken by the Maastricht Art Academy. Curious about what she saw there? Check the Van Eyck agenda and pay a visit to the inspiring academy.

  • Exterior of Jan van Eyck Academie in Maastricht

The Maastricht Angel

Today, it is hard to imagine that some four years ago, a major traffic artery from the Netherlands to Belgium (southern Europe) ran here. Traffic raced past and divided the city in two, so to speak. The arrival of the (special two-layer) Willem Alexander Tunnel put an end to that and transformed this part of the city into a green and calming environment. It is also this spot where King Willem Alexander unveiled the statue of 'The New Angel of Maastricht' on Thursday 29 March 2018. Visit the Angel of Maastricht, walk or cycle along the Groene Loper and discover a completely new part of Maastricht.

Spanish Government

Sometimes you wish walls could speak. The Spanish Gouvernement on Maastricht's Vrijthof is just such a place. It is not entirely certain, but in all probability this is Maastricht's oldest preserved residence. The house has accommodated many noble and princely inhabitants who stayed there for short and long periods of time. Although the site is now home to Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof , Maastricht's photography museum, enough elements have remained intact to remind you of the olden days.

  • Spanish Government in Maastricht

Royal Mosa

Tiles on the wall, where can I find the most royal tiles in the country? At Royal Mosa in Maastricht, of course! Royal Mosa is the first Dutch porcelain factory and producer of ceramic tiles. In 1983, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, the company received the designation 'Royal'. On the wall, admire Mosa's tiles in the Sphinxpassage. In this 120-metre-long corridor, almost 30,000 tiles bring the history of Maastricht ceramics to life. You'll want to see that!

  • Sphinxpassage tiles brown

  • Sphinxpassage

    A 120-metre-long covered tile passage between the Eiffel Building and Pathé. Almost 30,000 tiles bring Maastricht's Sphinx past to life. More about Sphinxpassage

    Sphinxpassage

Purveyor to the royal household Frissen Pieters

The word 'Hofleverancier' might suggest actual delivery to 'Het Hof'. This is not entirely true. However, the fact that you don't just get the designation is one thing that is certain. After all, as a company, you have to be active for at least 100 years and deliver quality. And then it is up to the King to decide whether you actually deserve the predicate. Flower shop Frissen Pieters is one of those. They have been providing top-quality flowers since 1847(!). The florist has also been discovered, loved and sought after by many TEFAF exhibitors as a regular supplier of floral decorations for their stands during the fair days.

Court-supplier Blanche Dael

Black, with a splash of milk or a little sugar? No idea how King Willem Alexander drinks his coffee. With any luck, the smell of freshly roasted coffee from Blanche Dael will tempt him to a Maastricht 'bakkie' during their visit anyway. After all, they almost walk past it during their stroll through Maastricht. As an authentic specialty shop, Blanche Dael also carries the designation 'purveyor to the royal household'. The Maastricht specialist in coffee and tea should definitely be included in the list of typical Maastricht delicacies. Where can you best taste Blanche Dael's coffee? The coffee is served in many Maastricht hotels and restaurants. However, the various Coffeelovers branches spread throughout Maastricht are owned by Blanche Dael, so you'll be fine there anyway.

  • Blanche Dael shop Maastricht facade door
  • Blanche Dael coffee roastery and tea shop two people
  • Blanche Dael coffee roastery coffee beans

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