Cultural heritage

Friars Minor Church in Jewartier Maastricht

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Go back in time

Maastricht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and this has ensured that the city has a wealth of cultural heritage. Important relics of Maastricht's history are cherished and many centuries-old traditions are still kept alive.

Pilgrimage Of Relics

The Catholic event the Pilgrimage Of Relics takes place in Maastricht every seven years. It originated in the Middle Ages when many pilgrims went on pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Servatius in Maastricht. The pilgrimage as we know it today consists of an 11-day programme including two large religious processions in honour of Saint Servatius through the historic city centre. Thereby, according to old custom, relics of Saint Servatius are shown to visitors.

Treasury of Saint Servatius

The treasury of Saint Servatius' Basilica houses beautiful sights intertwined with Maastricht's history. Here, for instance, you can admire the bust of Saint Servatius and other relics of this saint. Saint Servatius was the first bishop of Maastricht and his grave attracted many pilgrims to the city after his death. You will also find relics and reliquaries of other saints in the treasury.

Two people in the Basilica of Saint Servatius in Maastricht

Prayer path of the Star of the Sea

The Way of Prayer is a route walked for five centuries by believers in Maastricht to honour Our Lady Star of the Sea. On 10 October, the feast day of Our Lady Star of the Sea, a procession is held with the statue of Mary and every first Saturday of the month, the Little Way of Prayer is walked without the statue. The route of this oratory runs from the candle chapel of Basilica of Our Lady through the centre of Maastricht and back to the candle chapel. Gable stones with images of Mary can be seen along the route. While walking the Way of Prayer, the Rosary is prayed.

Church of Our Lady in Maastricht

Gable stones

In the days when house numbers and surnames did not exist, house names were used. These were derived, for example, from the profession of the house owner or the worship of a saint. In the 17th and 18th centuries, gable stones were used in the façades of buildings to depict the name of the house to show visitors the way. Other gable stones are depictions of family coats of arms. Some 260 façade stones have survived in Maastricht and can still be admired today. So be sure to look up when walking through the city!

Overview facing bricks
Gablestone building in Maastricht Koestraat gablestone Bisschopsmolen in Maastricht Maastricht main guardhouse facade

Maastricht - pottery

Maastricht was the first city in the Netherlands to experience the industrial revolution. Pottery was one of the city's most important industrial products. From around 1835, this was made in the factories of Sphinx, Société Céramique and Mosa, among others. Many Maastricht people worked at these factories at the time, but inhabitants of Belgium also came to Maastricht to work in the pottery factories. Maastricht pottery is loved by collectors nowadays. The Maastricht Museum has a collection of pottery from the city's various factories and in the Sphinxpassage you can learn more about the history of the Sphinx pottery factory.

  • Maastricht porcelain at Centre Ceramique
  • Maastricht Museum ceramics display case
  • Sphinxpassage Maastricht pastel tiles

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