Pieke oet de Stokstraot

Pieke oet de Stokstraot sits on a bench in the Stokstraat Quarter with his dog Maoke. The statue keeps alive the memory of the time when this neighbourhood was still a genuine working-class area and brings a well-known Maastricht literary character to life.

A story in bronze
Pieke is not a historical resident of Maastricht, but the main character from the novel Pieke oet de Stokstraot by the Maastricht-based writer Bèr Hollewijn. The book centres on life in the Stokstraat neighbourhood, an area where, for many years, mainly working-class families lived.

The bronze statue of Pieke and his dog Maoke was unveiled in 1996 and was created by sculptor Nicolas van Ronkenstein. It serves as a lasting reminder of life in the Stokstraat neighbourhood in days gone by.

A reminder of days gone by
The Stokstraat Quarter is now known for its listed buildings, exclusive shops and cosy terraces. For a long time, the neighbourhood was a working-class area where mainly working-class families lived. The statue of Pieke serves as a reminder of that period. In this way, the statue bridges the gap between the Stokstraat Quarter of the past and the present.

What’s there to see?
Pieke sits relaxed on a bench, with his faithful dog Maoke by his side. Together, they depict everyday life in the former Stokstraat neighbourhood.

For younger visitors, there’s a treasure hunt featuring Pieke and his dog Maoke. The treasure hunt is available from the Maastricht Store and lets children discover Maastricht through play.

Fun fact
Among the people of Maastricht, the story goes that Pieke is holding a bar of soap in his outstretched hand. Children from the Stokstraat Quarter are said to have used to make their own soap from silt from the Meuse, to which they added fragrant flower petals. The bars were wrapped in paper and sold to earn a bit of money. Others, however, believe that Pieke is holding a box of matches or a packet of cigarettes. What the object actually represents has never been officially confirmed.