Maastricht is a city in southeastern Netherlands, capital of the province Limburg along the border with Belgium. It is located on both sides of the river Meuse. Maastricht's name comes from 'ad Mosamad Trajectum' (Step of the Meuse "in Latin), referring to bridge the Romans under the reign of Julius Caesar. For years, it has played the role of the oldest Dutch city with Nijmegen. Nijmegen was the first city in which laws were applied Roman city. Maastricht was the first city to medieval law, a legal system that has evolved to the current system. Roman sources mention
a Celtic settlement (probably inhabited by Eburones) at the site on which to build the bridge. Other sources point to a Celtic settlement on a river near Wyck, a district of the city located on the east side of the river Meuse.
Maastricht is famous because it was signed the treaty that bears his name, which gave birth to the European Union. Offers a special atmosphere and different from the rest of the country due to the strong influence from neighboring countries.
»» Point of interest:
Along the narrow streets of Maastricht are admiring stunning elegant houses of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, beautifully decorated with colorful painted windows crammed with flowers. There are still many Roman buildings in the city and towers, walls and doors of medieval walls.
"On the Maas river rises St. Servaas Bridge , a robust yet elegant construction that dates back to 1280.
"Stadhuis : The City of Maastricht (1659-1664) is one of the most important architect Pieter Post (1608-1669). In it stands a majestic double staircase and the tower from 1684 that contains a carillon with 49 bells, used every Saturday, a beautiful tapestry interesting interior, stucco and chimneys and the imposing lobby with its painted ceiling and mold
OCTA. "Vrijhof : The heart of the city both geographically and socially. A meeting place surrounded by trees and terraces, which is why his nickname is 'Living Maastricht'. One of the striking buildings near the plaza is " Generaalshuis " today is a theater that was built in 1809 as a neoclassical palace for General Dibbets managed to keep Maastricht in the Netherlands.
On the west side of the Plaza Hotel San Servaaskerk , the oldest church in the Netherlands. The construction began around 1000, on the site where Saint Servatius was called the basilica. It contains a priceless collection of sacred artifacts in his treasure chamber, and these include objects used in public worship, shrines, paintings, statues, old cloth and ivory carvings.
San Servaaskerk Next is the Sint-Janskerk (Iglesia de San Juan), an impressive Gothic building, the tower stands fine, reddish throughout the plaza. The church began in the fourteenth century and completed in the fifteenth, from adding an apse and the graceful tower over 70 meters tall with a square base and octagonal then shot higher. Within the Church there is St. John still rocks on the floor that served as headstones for graves of important people who they are buried in underground tombs. This practice was also common in other Dutch churches. Still have some stones inscribed with the names and, sometimes, the professions of the people, but few contain dates. In 1633 he became a Protestant church, which shows some of the existing religious duality in the Netherlands.
Almost as impressive as the San Servaaskerk, is the Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk ). Construction started around 1000. The most impressive is the western wall. After completion, the construction continued and was completed in the tenth century the nave and transept. The choir was added in the twelfth century crypt atop a XI century on the eastern side. The church has a crypt and paths sixteenth-century cloister, and retains excellent medieval liturgical objects and reliquaries. Located on the plaza of the same name, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwep
lein. " Walls. In the southern part of the city still retain large chunks of the ancient walls surrounding the city. Within the defensive enclosures, the most characteristic feature is Helpoort or 'Gate of Hell. " Corresponds to the medieval walls and its construction is 1229.
»» Museums:
"Bonnefantenmuseum (Avenue Ceramique, 250) [ official Web ] [ Learn more , English] [Video ]: The Museum Bonnefanten ('Good Children's Museum ") is the leading museum of old masters and contemporary art located in the province of Limburg. Built by Italian architect Aldo Rossi, the impressive domed museum is one of the hallmarks of Maastricht. An abundance of natural light and use of natural materials gives the building its unique appearance.
The museum houses two major collections. On the one hand, medieval art funds eighteenth century, which are divided into three groups: medieval sculpture, paintings from the southern Netherlands and Italian masters before 1650 and the century XV and XVI Germanic painting and sculpture. Pieter Brueghel the Younger is the highlight of this collection. Furthermore, the contemporary art collection contains works of an international group of artists. Only five works have a permanent location in this section
" Natuurhistorisch Museum (Natural History Museum) (De Bosquetplein 6.7) [official website ]. Located in a XVII century convent, with a collection of geology, flora and fossils from the territory of Limburg. One of the main issues are the remains of a huge mosasaur. The museum houses more than 550,000 natural objects and the sample includes more than 11,000 species.
" Spaans Gouvernement Museum (Vrijthof 18) [official website ]: The former residence of the Dukes of Brabant, the sixteenth century, where he was Felipe II. It contains furniture, porcelain and paintings of interest.
"Derlon Cellar Museum (Onze Lieve Vrouweplein 6): home to Roman ruins dating from the II, III and IV. The museum itself is located in the basement of the hotel Derlon, in the underground.
»» Parks:
On the south side of the city's "green belt" of parks, City Park, Faliezusters, Nolens Park, and Park Aldenhofpark Waldeck. Many parks are part of the old fortresses of the city. There is also a wide variety of European trees, fountains and ponds for domestic ducks.
Vaeshartels Kasteel Park has ancient trees. Surrounding the castle and was designed by architect
Belgian landscape uitecto Gindre in 1852. »» Other landscapes and spaces:
" Dinghuis : A high-rise building and gothic style, the fifteenth century, where once stood the Court of Justice. On the ground floor of the building is now located the tourist information office.
"Hoge Fronten (also known as Linie van du Moulin) a military stronghold of the XVI to XVII.
"Kazematten a series of tunnels built under the Hoge Front.
" Markt, a newly renovated plaza, which houses a market three times a week.
"South of the city is the hill of San Pietersberg , which has an ancient fort built between 1701 and 1702, with a network of caves in it. These caves were formed after the excavations were made to build houses, as they are formed from limestone. Were used as hideouts during the Second World War. Later, the marl was used by the local cement company. During the process of extracting ore, built an artificial hill called "D'n Observant."
"Statue of D'Artagnan in Aldenhofpark.
'Shopping Streets : Stokstraatkwartier, Grote Staat, Kleine Staat and market Entre Deux.
"" Bibliography and sources: tourist brochures of the city of Maastricht " Maastricht (Wikipedia) " Maastricht (Holland America)
" " Links: " Maastricht (official website) " Maastricht (Tourist Office) (with page in English) "Tourism in Maastricht (Holland.com) " Maastricht Guide (guide) " Maastricht (Traveling Amsterdam) " Maastricht Treaty " Maastricht, the city of dealers (El Diario Montanes) " Maastricht (Blog 'Travel around the world')
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