Maastricht as a Roman fortress - 1st century AD.
Maastricht has a rich Roman past that can still be seen in some places. In many other places, you no longer see anything of it, but plenty of special stories from this era have been preserved.
Crossing - in the Maas
If there was one place where Romans could cross the Maas on horseback, it was in the area where present-day Maastricht is located. The low water level of the Maas at this spot made it the ideal crossing point of the Via Belgica, the main Roman 'highway' over which soldiers and traders travelled from Boulogne-sur-Mer via Tongres to Cologne.
Roman remains
History is closer than you think! Walk into the Museum Basement of Hotel Derlon on Onze-Lieve-Vrouweplein. At the bottom of the stairs, you suddenly find yourself in the middle of an ancient Roman street. Around the remains of a temple, the hotel has created one of the most unusual breakfast rooms in the Netherlands.
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Derlon Hotel Maastricht
Derlon Hotel Maastricht
Authentic, historic and stylish, Derlon Hotel has been located on Onze Lieve Vrouweplein since 1870 and is a household name in Maastricht. A magical place full of history! More about Derlon Hotel Maastricht
Mosa Trajectum
The first bridge across the Maas River was built by the Romans in the first century AD. This Roman bridge attracted the first real townspeople. Soldiers built a fortress between the Vrijthof and the Maas called Mosa Trajectum. Within the walls of this fortress, people lived in wooden houses among temples and bath houses made of stone. Much of this Roman past is well hidden underground, but the Official Maastricht Guides are happy to take you around the city to discover all the Roman remains.
Book a city tour
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Saint Servatius Bridge
Saint Servatius Bridge
The icon of Maastricht, named after the 4th bishop of Maastricht: Saint Servatius. more info on Saint Servatius Bridge
More history
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Cretaceous Sea
Cretaceous Sea
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Middle Ages
Middle Ages
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Garrison City
Garrison City
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New developments
New developments
