History
1940-1945

Kazematten Maastricht inner corridor with ban

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World War II

On the day the Germans took Maastricht in 1940, Dutch soldiers blew up bridges in an attempt to defend the city. A clever feat, but in Wyck the streets were soon filled with German tanks just as quickly. During World War II, more than 300 Maastricht residents were eventually deported and murdered by the Nazis.

  • WWII liberation in Maastricht
  • Liberation in Maastricht, Wycker Brugstraat 1944

Safe harbour - for those in hiding

Victims of World War II are commemorated in Maastricht with copper trip-stones engraved with their names and dates of death. The stones can be found at houses from which Jews, Sinti, Roma and resistance fighters were deported. Fortunately, Maastricht was also able to offer a safe haven to many people in hiding. The famous Maastricht artist Appie Drielsma, for example, managed to survive the war as a Jewish boy. Drielsma later made an international name for himself with war monuments, including the monument for Jewish children and the Old Hickory Liberation Monument in Maastricht.

  • Notes art bunker Sint-Pietersberg (St. Pietersberg hill) Maastricht from 1944
  • Vault in Sint-Pietersberg (St. Pietersberg hill) in 1944
  • Grotten Noord Sint-Pietersberg (St. Pietersberg hill) group tour Maastricht Underground

Hiding underground

Maastricht was not extensively bombed during the occupation. As a result, the monumental city centre remained intact. Nevertheless, residents lived in fear and suffered greatly. Shelters, the underground casemate corridors and the caves of Sint-Pietersberg (St. Pietersberg hill) provided safety when an air alarm went off. In addition, in the Sint-Pietersberg (St. Pietersberg hill) caves, the Government Buildings Agency had a special shelter created in 1942 for valuable works of art, including Rembrandt's Night Watch. Today, the vault can be visited on request in combination with a tour of the Maastricht caves.

Kazematten Maastricht dome to corridors Guided tour of Sint-Pietersberg (St. Pietersberg hill) in Maastricht

Limburg Liberation Monument

On Black Friday, three weeks before the liberation of Limburg in September 1944, Maastricht was hit hardest. American bombers aimed their arrows at the railway bridge to stop German troops fleeing. Unfortunately, they did not hit the bridge, but two residential areas on the banks of the river Maas. More than 100 people were killed and just as many wounded. During National Remembrance Day on 4 May, Maastricht commemorates all victims at the Limburg Liberation Monument by Charles Eyck.

War memorial Koningsplein Maastricht

  • Vrijheidspark

    Vrijheidspark is located on the Groene Loper. The green park has playground equipment for children and restaurant Restobar MAMA. More info on Vrijheidspark

    Vrijheidspark

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