Sint-Matthiaskerk (St. Matthew's Church)

Tucked away amongst the historic buildings on Boschstraat lies St Matthias’ Church, one of Maastricht’s oldest churches. Behind its austere exterior lies a rich history. The Gothic church has had an eventful history and houses an interior featuring remarkable works of art from various periods.

A church with an eventful history
St Matthias’ Church originated in the Middle Ages as a branch of St Servatius’ Basilica. The present church was built from the 14th century onwards, but still contains parts of an older church dating from the 13th century.

Over the centuries, the building has served various purposes. In the 17th century, the church was mainly used by the Protestant community. After the French period, the building even served as a garrison bakery for a time. Since 1803, St Matthias’ Church has once again been in use as a Catholic parish church.

Distinctive interior and striking tower
Inside, the colourful stained-glass windows by artist Charles Eyck are particularly striking. In addition, various works of art and church furnishings originate from disbanded Maastricht monasteries, meaning the church houses a unique collection of religious heritage.

The church tower displays various stages of construction. Due to renovations and restoration work over the centuries, the tower is made up of clearly distinguishable sections. The planned completion never materialised, meaning the tower still retains its characteristic, unfinished appearance.

A hidden gem in the city centre
Surrounding the church is a walled church garden, which enhances the peaceful character of this special spot. Together with its secluded location amongst the historic buildings, the garden forms a surprising patch of greenery in Maastricht’s city centre.