Walk | Maastricht Treaty
Distance 7.8 km | Duration 1 hour 33 minutes
Start: Gouvernement on the Maas
End: Château Neercanne
Maastricht is the place where, with the signing of the European Treaty in February 1992, Europe changed for good. Although the signing itself took place in the Gouvernement, on the outskirts of the city, you will find a number of places scattered around the city that recall this historic event. We have collected these special places, each with its own story, for you and incorporated them into a route.
This route has been put together in collaboration with Studio Europa Maastricht.
Tip
Take a bike for an efficient way to explore this route. You can rent an OV bike at the station or use the Arriva share bikes that are located at various places around the city.
Starting point: Gouvernement aan de Maas
Start your route at the Gouvernement, the site of the Euro Summit on 9 and 10 December 1991. Here, 12 European leaders negotiated the creation of the EU and the introduction of the euro. The historic treaty was signed in the State Room on 7 February 1992. Visit the Gouvernement and admire the art in the garden. Inside, you can view one of the official copies of the treaty and learn more about the impact of the Maastricht Treaty. There are also guided tours and an exhibition.
-
Gouvernement aan de Maas - Province House
Gouvernement aan de Maas - Province House
The Provinciehuis of Limburg is an architecturally very interesting building with a rich art collection. More info on Gouvernement aan de Maas - Provinciehuis
-
Stars of Europe
Stars of Europe
Europe memorial erected on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Maastricht Treaty. More info on Stars of Europe
Square 1992
Continue your route to Plein 1992, located in the Céramique district. This square, built in honour of the Maastricht Treaty, has bronze plaques with the euro symbol and the year 1992 embedded in the tiles. The square is a perfect place where the modern architecture of Céramique meets historic Maastricht. Here you can visit the city library, enjoy a cup of coffee and admire the view of Maastricht's skyline.
-
Square 1992
Square 1992
Square 1992 is a lively square named after the year the Maastricht Treaty was signed. More info on Square 1992
High Bridge & - Square of Our Lady
Walk via the High Bridge, where you'll have great views over the Maas River. Cross the bridge into the city park and continue your route towards the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein and the Vrijthof square. During the 1991 Euro Summit, Maastricht's cafés symbolically represented the EU member states. Café In Den Ouden Vogelstruys on Vrijthof, for example, was renamed 'Selon de séjour de François M' in honour of France and President François Mitterrand. A fun anecdote: everyone named 'French' received an aubade from the staff.
-
High Bridge
High Bridge
The Hoge Brug (Maastricht: Hoeg Brögk) is a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the river Maas. More info on Hoge Brug
-
Square of Our Lady
Square of Our Lady
Attractive square in the oldest part of the city within the late Roman castellum. More info on Square of Our Lady
-
In den Ouden Vogelstruys
In den Ouden Vogelstruys
Whether you live in Maastricht or are visiting: Eve nao de Struys is part of it! Everyone is welcome in the hoeskamer vaan Mestreech. Young, old, Sjeng or tourist: drop in. Here you will find hospitality as it is meant to be: warm and attentive. More about In den Ouden Vogelstruys
Town hall and market
A dinner for the heads of government and ministers was held at City Hall Square on 9 December 1991. Negotiations continued during the dinner. Then go to the Market Square, where the first euros officially came into circulation on 1 January 2002. It became a special moment when Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm pinned the first euro notes there
-
Town Hall in the Market Square
Town Hall in the Market Square
The Town Hall on Market Square was built in the 17th century under master builder Pieter Post. More info on Town Hall on Market Square
-
Market
Market
The square takes its name from the commodity markets that have been held here for centuries. More info on Markt
Château Neercanne
End your route outside the city at Château Neercanne, located in the hills among Maastricht's nature. On 9 December 1991, a lunch between Queen Beatrix, European leaders and the French president took place here. The queen spoke encouraging words about the unification of Europe and the introduction of the euro. The marl wall in the cave where the leaders put their signatures is considered the 'birth card' of the euro.
-
Château Neercanne
Château Neercanne
This atmospheric à la carte restaurant has a rich cultural and culinary tradition. Find out more about Château Neercanne
Weetje!
In 2018, the Maastricht Convention received the European Heritage Label, in recognition of its great importance for European history and identity.