Percée

Right in the middle of Stationsstraat lies the small square known as Percée. In winter, it stands out even more thanks to the metre-high illuminated Christmas tree. The name, however, tells a much older story. Percée means ‘breakthrough’ and refers to the major transformation that Wyck underwent at the end of the nineteenth century.

A new thoroughfare cutting straight through Wyck
From 1882 onwards, a new, straight road was built right through the existing built-up area of Wyck. Houses had to make way for this. The new route ran from the old town towards the railway line, thus connecting the Sint Servaasbrug with the station area.

‘Percée’ is the French word for such a passageway. In Maastricht, this name has remained associated with the long route through Wyck. Today’s Stationsstraat forms an important part of this historic link.

A new entrance to Maastricht
The new street was intended to be more than just a quick route to the railway. It was laid out as a wide avenue, lined with trees and stately buildings on both sides. This created a new gateway to Maastricht that was distinctly different from the older, narrower streets of Wyck.

The current Maastricht railway station did not exist at that time. It was not built until the early twentieth century. It was situated precisely in the line of sight of the Percée. As a result, the long, straight route from the city still leads directly towards the monumental station building.

From urban breakthrough to Christmas tree
Stationsstraat looks very different today than it did at the end of the nineteenth century. Shops, restaurants and traffic now dominate the streetscape, but the wide, straight layout of the old Percée is still clearly recognisable.

During the winter months, a large, decorated Christmas tree stands in the small square on Stationsstraat. The tree forms part of the ‘Magical Maastricht’ illuminations route. As a result, this small section of the much longer Percée attracts attention year after year.