History
Up to 1100 AD.

Our Lady basilica Maastricht chapel maria statue

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Religious hotspot

Maastricht is home to quite a few religious sites. This is not surprising considering that the city used to be one of the religious hotspots in Europe. Admire Maastricht's religious heritage and be invited to pause and count your blessings. Even if you are not religious.

  • Church of Our Lady in Maastricht

Pilgrims and monks

The tomb of Saint Servatius under Sint-Servaasbasiliek attracted millions of pilgrims to Maastricht in the Middle Ages. In addition, the city's walls made Maastricht a favourite refuge for monks seeking a safe place to settle. In the many monasteries and church buildings in the city, you can still feel the medieval atmosphere of those days. Want to experience that for yourself? Then you can go to the Basilica of Our Lady, for example. Visitors and residents of Maastricht still burn candles there every day in the chapel in front of the statue of Mary Star of the Sea.

Church towers Basilica of Our Lady

Sint-Servaasbasiliek

Another good example of religious heritage in Maastricht is Sint-Servaasbasiliek on Vrijthof. This is the oldest church in the Netherlands. In the basilica's treasury, you can see the shrine of Saint Servatius from 1160. This 'coffin' with Biblical figures made of gilded copper and precious stone is an important medieval work of art. Also go to the church's inner garden and see the colossal tower clock named 'Grameer' from there. Only on high days, this Maastricht 'grandmother' is rung. Then you can hear it up to six kilometres away.

Saint Servatius Basilica Maastricht front of towers

On mini pilgrimage

A real camino, or real pilgrimage walk, can take months and you have to hike to Spain for it. But you can also opt for a short pilgrim experience in the South Limburg countryside with a so-called camini. The 11 caminis you can choose from all run along the original Jacob's route. Through proverbs and assignments, they are specially designed for reflection and awareness, just as if you were walking to Santiago.

Dominican Church

Of course, by no means all monumental church buildings have retained their religious function. The nice thing is that some churches in Maastricht now offer very surprising things to do such as shopping, spending the night or soaking up culture. The centuries-old Dominican Church now houses Boekhandel Dominicanen, voted the world's most beautiful bookshop by the British press.

  • Dominican Church Maastricht front facade
  • Dominicanen bookshop Maastricht inside shelves person

Kruisherenhotel

Architect Henk Vos has transformed the Gothic Kruisherenklooster into a beautiful five-star hotel: a feast for lovers of modern architecture and design. Even if you don't stay overnight stay at the Kruisheren Hotel, it's highly recommended to take a look here. Enjoy a drink or lunch at Spencer's Restaurant, for example, and in the meantime admire the hotel's special blend of history and modern design.

Kruisherenhotel Maastricht interior restaurant Spencers Kruisherenhotel Maastricht interior from above

More history

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