Defence Heritage Weekend
Maastricht is known as the second monument city in the Netherlands, with as many as 1,600 national monuments and 3,500 municipal monuments. The city has a rich history, especially in terms of defensive heritage from different time periods. Thanks to its strategic location, Maastricht played an important role in the past as a fortress city in Northwest Europe.
Relive History - of Maastricht
During the 'Weekend of Defence Heritage' on 20 and 21 April 2024, visitors had the chance to explore Maastricht's historic fortifications. During this special weekend, several monuments and defence sites were specially opened to the public, including forts, kazematten and other important military sites. Here is a look back at the highlights of this event:
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Guided tour of Vief Köp
Visitors had a unique opportunity to explore the Vief Köp, one of Maastricht's most important fortifications.
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Former NATO headquarters
The former NATO headquarters was open to the public, where people learned more about Maastricht's strategic role during the Cold War.
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Guided tour of Frontenpark
Visitors strolled through the Frontenpark and discovered the history of the new Bossche fronts.
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Guided fortress tours
The fortification walks gave visitors the opportunity to explore Maastricht's fortifications with an expert guide.
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Guided tour High Fronts Line of Du Mouline & Kazematten Waldec
There were guided tours of the Hoge Fronten and Waldeck kazematten, where people learned more about Maastricht's defensive history.
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Exhibition Fortress Museum
The Fortress Museum opened its doors for an exhibition showcasing Maastricht's rich military history.
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Guided tour of Fort William
Fort William was specially opened for guided tours, where visitors learned more about the fort's role in the city's defence.
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Guided tour The Great Art Vault
The Great Art Vault was open to visitors who wanted to learn more about the protection of artworks in wartime.
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Guided tour of Fort Sint Pieter
Fort Sint Pieter opened its doors for guided tours, where visitors could discover the fort and the history of the fortifications.
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Excursion Wars and Predecessors ENCI quarry
Visitors went on an excursion to the ENCI quarry, where they learned more about the war history of this special site.
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Shelter Museum Maastricht
The Shelter Museum Maastricht offered visitors an insight into the role of shelters during the war years.
