Minckelers met de vlam

Introduction
On the Markt stands the statue of the Maastricht physicist Jan Pieter Minckelers. The burning flame at the end of the gas pipe in his hand refers to his discovery of coal gas. With this discovery, Minckelers made a significant contribution to the development of gas lighting at the end of the 18th century.

Jan Pieter Minckelers
Jan Pieter Minckelers was born in Maastricht in 1748. He studied and worked at the University of Leuven, where he conducted research into gases. In 1781, he discovered that gas produced from heated coal was suitable for producing light. He then used it to light the university’s auditorium, one of the first known applications of gas lighting.

His discovery is regarded as a significant step in the development of gas lighting.

A monument to Minckelers
In 1902, a committee was set up with the aim of erecting a memorial in honour of the Maastricht-born scientist. The monument was designed by the Dutch sculptor Bart van Hove and unveiled on the Markt on 10 July 1904.

The bronze statue depicts Minckelers holding a gas pipe, from which a symbolic burning flame emerges. This refers to his discovery of coal gas and has become the most recognisable feature of the monument.

When the Markt was redesigned in 2007, the statue was given a new location on the square, where it remains a striking landmark to this day.

What is there to see?
The statue stands on the Markt, opposite the Town Hall. Jan Pieter Minckelers is depicted in a long robe, holding a gas pipe at an angle. A symbolic flame burns at the end, referring to his discovery of coal gas. The monument commemorates the Maastricht-born scientist and his contribution to the development of gas lighting.

Fun fact
The statue of Jan Pieter Minckelers was the first bronze statue to be erected in Maastricht.