In the 13th century, work started on the construction of a city wall around the present-day city centre and part of the Jeker Quarter. The 2.4 km long wall served to protect the city area on the left bank of the Meuse. Its average length was 5.5 metres and it enclosed an area of about 36 hectares. Some architectural highlights in the city are part of this first city wall such as the Helpoort, Jeker Tower and Onze Lieve Vrouwe city wall. Can you imagine that these structures have been there for more than 750 years?

Damaged by the enemy
How the first city wall came about is not entirely clear. The story goes around that at the time of the Siege of Maastricht, when the French tried to take Maastricht, a fence was already in place. An earthen wall with wooden pallisade on top. As this was so damaged by the troops, the then administrator, the Prince-Bishop of Liège, then ordered the construction of a stone wall.

Grey and brown bricks
As the city expanded, a new, second city wall was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Padre Vinck Tower, right next to the first city wall, is part of this second walling. See the difference? The grey natural stone is newer than the brown coal sandstone. In the centuries that followed, the first city wall still functioned as a line of defence and was also maintained. Although parts were still often demolished and later rebuilt.

In contrast, the first wall along the Meuse has always been used as the primary defensive wall.

City wall in Jeker Quarter

Location

In the Jeker Quarter, you will find atmospheric restaurants and cafés with the finest terraces, the historic city wall, a bakery with a water mill where flour is ground for the tastiest flans and, if you are lucky, live music in the streets.

Discover Jeker Quarter