Berenkuil

Tucked away in the Stadspark lies the former Berenkuil. For almost three-quarters of a century, bears lived here and were a familiar sight in the park for many years. Since 2001, the Berenkuil has taken on a new role as a work of art, depicting the site’s past in a contemporary way.

From bear enclosure to monument
In 1920, the first bears were brought to Maastricht and housed in a bear enclosure in the Stadspark. The animals became a well-known attraction and were part of the park for decades. In 1970, the current concrete berenkuil was opened to replace the original enclosure.

Over the years, attitudes towards keeping wild animals in such enclosures have changed. In 1993, Maastricht’s last bear, Jo, moved to Ouwehands Zoo. This brought to an end more than seventy years of bear history in the Stadspark.

The Semi-Automatic Comfort Machine
After the bears left, the empty pit was given a new purpose. Artist Michiel Huisman designed The Semi-Automatic Comfort Machine, a work of art created in 2001 as a monument to extinct animals.

In the pit stands a bronze statue of a woman comforting a dying giraffe. Next to the pit is a merry-go-round. When it is set in motion, the woman’s arm moves slowly along the giraffe’s neck.

Fun fact
Did you know that Maastricht’s last bear can still be found in the Stadspark? Artist Michiel Huisman immortalised Jo the bear in a bronze statue on a bench a little further on in the park. In this way, the last resident of the Berenkuil remains part of the story of this special place.