Maastricht facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maastricht Mestreech  (Limburgish)
City and municipality
River Meuse in winter Maastricht City Hall at night Sidewalk cafés at Onze Lieve Vrouweplein Saint Servatius Bridge Our Lady, Star of the Sea chapel St. John's and St. Servatius' churches at Vrijthof square View from Mount Saint Peter
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: Mestreechs Volksleed
Location in Limburg
Maastricht Location in Netherlands Show map of Netherlands Maastricht Location in Europe Show map of Europe
Country	Netherlands
Province	Limburg
Settled	≈ circa 50 AD
City rights	gradually acquired
City Hall	Maastricht City Hall
Boroughs	7 districts Centrum (Binnenstad, Jekerkwartier, Kommelkwartier, Statenkwartier, Boschstraatkwartier, Sint Maartenspoort, Wyck-Céramique) Noordoost (Beatrixhaven, Borgharen, Itteren, Meerssenhoven) Oost (Wyckerpoort, Wittevrouwenveld, Nazareth, Limmel, Amby, Scharn, Heugemerveld) Zuidoost (Randwyck, Heugem, Heer, De Heeg, Vroendaal) Zuidwest (Villapark, Jekerdal, Biesland, Campagne, Wolder, Sint Pieter) West (Brusselsepoort, Mariaberg, Belfort, Pottenberg, Malpertuis, Caberg, Malberg, Dousberg-Hazendans, Daalhof) Noordwest (Boschpoort, Bosscherveld, Frontenkwartier, Belvédère, Lanakerveld)
Government
• Body	Municipal council
Area
• Municipality	60.03 km2 (23.18 sq mi)
• Land	56.81 km2 (21.93 sq mi)
• Water	3.22 km2 (1.24 sq mi)
Elevation	49 m (161 ft)
Population  (Municipality, May 2014; Urban and Metro, May 2014)
• Municipality	121,906
• Density	2,146/km2 (5,560/sq mi)
• Urban	277,721
• Metro	≈ 3,500,000
	Urban population for Dutch-Belgian region; metropolitan population for Dutch-Belgian-German region.
Demonyms	(Dutch) Maastrichtenaar; (Limb.) Mestreechteneer or "Sjeng" (nickname)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode	6200–6229
Area code	043

Maastricht is a city and a municipality in the southeastern Netherlands. It is the capital and largest city of the province of Limburg. Maastricht is located on both sides of the Meuse river. The Jeker river also joins the Meuse here. Mount Saint Peter is mostly within the city's borders. Maastricht is close to the border with Belgium. It is part of a large international area called the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. This area has about 3.9 million people. It includes nearby cities like Aachen in Germany and Liège and Hasselt in Belgium.

Maastricht started as a Roman settlement. It grew into an important trading and religious center in the Middle Ages. Later, it became a military town and then an early industrial city. Today, Maastricht is a busy cultural and regional hub. It is famous for the Maastricht Treaty and as the birthplace of the euro currency. The city has 1,677 national heritage buildings. This is the second highest number in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam. Many tourists visit Maastricht for shopping and fun. It also has a large number of international students.

History of Maastricht

How Maastricht Got Its Name

The name Maastricht comes from old Dutch words. Masa- means the Meuse river. *treiekt means a place to cross a river. So, Maastricht means "crossing point on the Meuse". This name helped avoid confusion with Utrecht, which has a similar meaning.

People from Maastricht are called Maastrichtenaar. In the local dialect, they are called Mestreechteneer or Sjeng. This nickname comes from the old French name Jean.

Early Beginnings

Roman sanctuary in the basement of Hotel Derlon

Very old human remains have been found near Maastricht. These include Neanderthal remains. Around 500 BC, Celts lived here. They chose this spot because the Meuse river was shallow and easy to cross.

The Romans built a bridge across the Meuse in the 1st century AD. This bridge was important for a main road between Bavay and Cologne. Roman Maastricht was quite small. Parts of the Roman road, bridge, and old buildings have been found. You can see Roman objects in the city's public library.

A legend says that Saint Servatius, a bishop, died in Maastricht in 384 AD. He was buried along the Roman road. Later, a church was built over his grave. This church was a very early Christian center.

The Middle Ages

In the early Middle Ages, Maastricht was a key city. It was important for river trade and making goods. Coins made in Maastricht have been found all over Europe. In 881, Vikings attacked the town.

The city grew culturally in the 11th and 12th centuries. Many important church leaders lived here. The two main churches were rebuilt and decorated. Art from Maastricht during this time is very famous. A poet named Henric van Veldeke wrote a story about Saint Servatius. This was one of the first works in Dutch literature.

Maastricht did not get its city rights all at once. These rights grew over time. In 1204, the city had two rulers: the prince-bishop of Liège and the duke of Brabant. Soon after, the first city walls were built. In 1275, the old Roman bridge fell down. A new bridge, the Sint Servaasbrug, was built and is still there today.

During the Middle Ages, Maastricht was known for making wool and leather. But its economy slowly declined. Wars in the 16th and 17th centuries made things worse. The city's economy did not get better until the industrial revolution in the 19th century.

From the 16th to 18th Centuries

The Siege of Maastricht (1579) as depicted in the Palace of Aranjuez

Maastricht's location meant many fortifications were built. Spanish and Dutch soldiers lived in the city. In 1579, the Spanish army attacked and took the city. This was known as the Siege of Maastricht (1579).

In 1632, Prince Frederick Henry of Orange conquered the city. The Dutch government then shared control of Maastricht. In 1673, Louis XIV of France attacked the city. During this Siege of Maastricht (1673), a famous French engineer named Vauban developed new ways to attack forts. A famous captain, Charles de Batz de Castelmore, also known as d'Artagnan, was killed during this siege. This event is in Alexandre Dumas' novel The Vicomte de Bragelonne. French troops held Maastricht from 1673 to 1678.

The French took the city again in 1748. After each attack, the city's defenses were made stronger. The French revolutionary army took the city in 1794. Maastricht became part of France for almost 20 years.

19th and Early 20th Centuries

19th-century industry: Maastricht potteries in Boschstraat

After the time of Napoleon, Maastricht became part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815. It became the capital of the new province of Limburg. When the southern provinces broke away in 1830, Maastricht stayed loyal to the Dutch king. The city was officially given to the Netherlands in 1839. During this time, Maastricht became an early industrial town.

Plate commemorating the liberation, 14 September 1944

Maastricht is in a unique spot in the Netherlands. It is close to Belgium and Germany. This made it different from other Dutch cities for a long time. During World War I, the Netherlands stayed neutral. But Maastricht took in many refugees.

In World War II, German forces took the city in May 1940. On September 13 and 14, 1944, Maastricht was the first Dutch city to be freed by Allied forces. Most of Maastricht's Jews died in Nazi concentration camps during the war.

After World War II

Prime minister Dries van Agt presiding over the 1981 European Council in the town hall

After the war, old industries like pottery declined. The city's economy changed to focus on services. Maastricht University was started in 1976. Many European organizations also came to Maastricht. In 1991, a big meeting in Maastricht led to the signing of the Maastricht Treaty. This treaty helped create the European Union and the euro currency.

Since the 1990s, many parts of the city have been updated. This includes areas around the train station and shopping centers. New buildings and museums have also been built.

Geography of Maastricht

City Areas

Typical street in the Jekerkwartier, part of the city centre

Dutch topographic map of Maastricht, March 2014

Maastricht is divided into seven main areas and 44 neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods used to be separate villages. They became part of Maastricht over time.

• Maastricht Centrum: This is the city center. It includes areas like Binnenstad, Jekerkwartier, and Wyck-Céramique.
• South-West: This area has neighborhoods like Villapark and Sint Pieter.
• West: This includes Brusselsepoort, Mariaberg, and Daalhof.
• North-West: This area has Boschpoort and Frontenkwartier.
• North-East: This includes Beatrixhaven, Borgharen, and Itteren.
• East: This area has Wyckerpoort, Nazareth, and Amby.
• South-East: This includes Randwyck, Heugem, and De Heeg.

Neighboring Towns

Maastricht shares borders with several other towns. These include Meerssen, Berg en Terblijt, and Gronsveld in the Netherlands. It also borders towns in Belgium like Lanaye and Kanne.

The Border with Belgium

Maastricht's city limits touch the international border with Belgium. Most of this border is with Belgium's Flemish region. A small part to the south borders Wallonia. Both countries are part of the Schengen Area. This means people can cross the border without strict checks.

Climate in Maastricht

Maastricht has a climate similar to most of the Netherlands. Summers tend to be warmer, especially near the Meuse river. Winters are a bit colder. The highest temperature ever recorded was 39.6°C on July 25, 2019.

People of Maastricht

Population Growth Over Time

Maastricht's population has changed a lot over the centuries. In 1400, about 7,000 people lived there. By 2010, the population was over 118,000.

People from Different Countries

Maastricht has many people from different countries. This table shows the top 10 nationalities living in Maastricht from 2000 to 2021.

Maastricht residents by nationality – Top 10 (2000–2021)

Nationality	2021	2014	2010	2000
Netherlands	100,297	107,418	109,722	116,171
Germany	3,908	3,869	1,956	783
Italy	1,572	653	387	280
Belgium	1,475	1,055	946	909
Spain	913	431	232	241
United Kingdom	842	815	386	280
China	739	595	248	87
France	686	351	214	120
United States	665	623	277	162
Turkey	436	404	368	404

This table shows the top 10 countries where Maastricht residents were born.

Maastricht residents by country of birth – Top 10 (2000–2020)

Country of birth	2020	2013	2010	2000
Netherlands	93,162	100,269	102,433	109,632
Germany	3,949	4,100	2,467	1,444
Belgium	2,355	1,920	1,839	1,900
United States	1,380	753	383	217
Indonesia	1,020	1,199	1,267	1,556
China (excl. Hong Kong and Macau)	1,019	651	373	215
Turkey	973	919	836	784
United Kingdom	926	677	404	310
Morocco	829	838	867	859
Poland	563	437	316	152

Languages Spoken in Maastricht

Maastricht has many languages because it is near several countries. It also has many international students.

• Dutch is the main language. It is used in schools and government. People in Maastricht often speak Dutch with a special Limburgish accent.
• Limburgish is a group of dialects spoken in the Limburg provinces. The Maastricht dialect (Mestreechs) has long vowels and some French words. This dialect is becoming less common.
• French used to be important for education and culture. It was the language of the upper classes in the 19th century. Many local names are French.
• German is also taught in schools. Many German students live in Maastricht, so German is widely spoken.
• English is very important for education now. Many courses at Maastricht University are taught in English. Foreign students often use English to communicate.

Religion in Maastricht

In 2010–2014, about 70% of people in Maastricht said they were religious. Most of them (60.4%) were Roman Catholic. About 14% went to a religious service at least once a month.

Economy of Maastricht

ENCI quarry

Office park Randwyck-Noord

Companies in Maastricht

Many different companies have their base in Maastricht. These include:

• Sappi – a company that makes paper products.
• Royal Mosa – a company that makes ceramic tiles.
• O-I Manufacturing – a glass company.
• BASF – a company that makes pigments.
• Hewlett-Packard – a company known for electronic systems.
• Vodafone – a mobile phone company.
• DHL – an international mail service.
• Mercedes-Benz – has a customer contact center for Europe here.
• Medtronic – a medical devices company with a research center.

Public Organizations in Maastricht

Provincial Government Buildings

European Institute of Public Administration

Since the 1980s, many European and international groups have come to Maastricht. They create jobs for people from other countries.

• The government of the Dutch province of Limburg is here.
• Eurocontrol – helps keep air travel safe in Europe.
• European Journalism Centre – supports journalists.
• European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) – trains public officials.
• UNU-MERIT – a research center for economics and technology.

Culture and Tourism

Medieval city wall (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwewal)

View of Maastricht from the fortress on Mount Saint Peter

Vrijthof with Saint John's (left) and Saint Servatius Basilica

View of Our Lady's from the church tower of Saint John's

Christmas decorations at Onze Lieve Vrouweplein

Markt and town hall

13th-century Dominican church converted into a bookstore

Slavante on the slopes of Mount Saint Peter

The landmark tower of the Bonnefanten Museum on the east bank of the Meuse in Wyck-Céramique

Medieval art in the Bonnefantenmuseum

Chest of Saint Servatius in the Treasury of the Basilica of Saint Servatius

Maastricht University faculty on their way to the annual dies natalis

TEFAF, Maastricht's prestigious art fair

Giants' Parade, 2019: Gigantius of Maastricht

Top Sights in Maastricht

Maastricht is famous for its lively squares, narrow streets, and old buildings. It has 1,677 national heritage buildings. This is more than any Dutch city except Amsterdam. The whole city center is a protected area. It is mostly free of cars.

Here are some of Maastricht's main sights:

• Meuse River: You can find parks and walking paths along the river. There are also interesting bridges.
  • Sint Servaasbrug: This bridge is partly from the 13th century. It is the oldest bridge in the Netherlands.
  • Hoge Brug ("High Bridge"): A modern bridge for people walking.
• City Fortifications: These are old defenses around the city.
  • Old city walls and towers: Parts of the 13th and 14th-century walls are still standing.
  • Helpoort ("Hell's Gate"): This is an old gate built around 1230. It is the oldest city gate in the Netherlands.
  • Hoge Fronten: These are parts of 17th and 18th-century forts. They include old bastions and moats.
  • Fort Sint-Pieter: An 18th-century fort on Mount Saint Peter. You can take tours and see great views of the city.
  • Casemates: These are underground tunnels built for guns. They run for about 14 kilometers under the city. You can take guided tours here.
• Binnenstad: This is the inner city area for walking and shopping. It has popular streets like Grote Staat. There are also two indoor shopping centers. Many sights, cafes, and restaurants are around three main squares:
  • Vrijthof: The biggest and most famous square in Maastricht. It has many pubs and restaurants.
    • Basilica of Saint Servatius: A beautiful old church with important sculptures. The tomb of Saint Servatius is here. Many people visit it.
    • Sint-Janskerk: A Gothic church next to the Basilica of Saint Servatius. It has a red limestone tower.
  • Onze Lieve Vrouweplein: A square with trees and outdoor cafes.
    • Basilica of Our Lady: An old church from the 11th century. It has a famous shrine of Our Lady, Star of the Sea.
    • Derlon Museumkelder: You can see old Roman remains in the basement of Hotel Derlon.
  • Markt: The city's historic market square.
    • The Town Hall: Built in the 17th century. It is a great example of Dutch Baroque style.
    • Entre Deux: A modern shopping center. It has a bookstore inside a 13th-century church. This bookstore was called the world's most beautiful by The Guardian.
• Jekerkwartier: This area is named after the small Jeker river. It has old houses and parts of city walls. Many university buildings and art schools are here.
  • Maastricht Natural History Museum: A small museum about the nature of Limburg.
• Wyck: This is the old part of the city on the east side of the Meuse river.
  • Saint Martin's Church: A Gothic church built in 1856.
  • Stationsstraat: An elegant street with many buildings from the late 19th century. The Maastricht railway station is at the end of this street.
• Céramique: A modern area built where old pottery factories used to be. It has a park along the Meuse river. It also has many modern buildings by famous architects.
  • Bonnefanten Museum: A museum with a rocket-shaped tower.
  • Centre Céramique: A public library and exhibition space.
• Sint-Pietersberg ("Mount Saint Peter"): A small hill and nature area south of the city. It is a great place for walks and views.
  • Caves of Maastricht: These are man-made tunnels in old limestone quarries. You can take guided tours.
  • ENCI Quarry: An old quarry that is now a nature reserve. It has lakes and viewing platforms.

Museums to Visit

• Bonnefanten Museum: This museum shows old master paintings and modern art. It has medieval sculptures and works by famous artists.
• The Treasury of the Basilica of Saint Servatius: This museum has religious items from the 4th to 20th centuries. It includes things related to Saint Servatius.
• The Treasury of the Basilica of Our Lady: This museum has religious art, old fabrics, and other items from the Middle Ages.
• Derlon Museumkelder: An archaeological site in a hotel basement. It shows Roman and older remains.
• The Maastricht Natural History Museum: This museum shows the geology, paleontology, and flora and fauna of Limburg. It has parts of Mosasaur skeletons found in a quarry.
• Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof: A photography museum in a 16th-century building. It has temporary photo exhibitions.

Events and Festivals

Maastricht hosts many fun events throughout the year:

• Carnival (Vastelaovend): A three-day festival in February or March. People celebrate outdoors with music.
• The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF): A very famous art and antiques fair in March.
• Amstel Gold Race: An international cycling race that starts in Maastricht, usually in April.
• Pilgrimage of the Relics (Heiligdomsvaart): A Christian pilgrimage with old relics. It happens every seven years in May or June. The next one is in 2025.
• Giants' Parade (Reuzenstoet): A parade of giant figures, mostly from Belgium and France. It happens every five years in June. The next one is in 2024.
• Vrijthof concerts by André Rieu: Famous concerts by the violinist and his orchestra in July or August.
• Preuvenemint: A big food event on the Vrijthof square in August.
• Magic Maastricht (Magisch Maastricht): A winter funfair and Christmas market in December and January.

Nature in Maastricht

A pond in Stadspark, Maastricht's main park

Relaxing in Charles Eyckpark

Sheep on Mount Saint Peter

Jeker valley with vineyards

Parks in the City

Maastricht has several parks and green areas:

• Stadspark: The main public park. It has parts of the medieval city walls and a small zoo. You can also see a statue of d'Artagnan here.
• Jekerpark: A new park along the Jeker river.
• Frontenpark: A new park west of the city center. It includes parts of old city forts.
• Charles Eykpark: A modern park by the Meuse river.
• Griendpark: A modern park with areas for inline-skating and skateboarding.

Natural Areas Outside the Center

• The Meuse River: The river and its green banks are great for nature. New nature areas are being created in the north.
• Pietersplas: An artificial lake from old gravel pits. It has a beach and a marina.
• The Jeker Valley: This area has green meadows, vineyards, and old water mills. It continues into Belgium.
• Mount Saint Peter: This hill is a nature reserve with many walking paths.
• Dousberg and Zouwdal: A small hill and valley on the city's western edge. Part of it is now a golf course.

Sports in Maastricht

Student rowing club MSRV Saurus in Zuid-Willemsvaart

• Football: Maastricht has a football team called MVV Maastricht. They play in the Dutch first division. Their home stadium is the Geusselt stadium.
• American Football: The Maastricht Wildcats are an American Football team.
• Cycling: Since 1998, Maastricht has been the starting point of the annual Amstel Gold Race. This is a famous Dutch cycling race. Cyclist Tom Dumoulin was born in Maastricht.
• Lacrosse: Maastricht was the first city in the Netherlands to have a Lacrosse team in 2000.

Getting Around Maastricht

A2 motorway and Koning Willem-Alexandertunnel

Maastricht main railway station

Arriva bus at Boschstraat

Maastricht Aachen Airport

By Car

Maastricht is connected by the A2 and A79 motorways. You can reach Brussels and Cologne in about an hour. Amsterdam is about two and a half hours away.

The A2 motorway now runs through Maastricht in a special two-level tunnel. This tunnel opened in 2016. It helped reduce traffic and air pollution in the city. Parking in the city center can be difficult on weekends. Parking fees are high to encourage people to use public transport.

By Train

Maastricht has three train stations. The main one is Maastricht railway station. There is also Maastricht Randwyck railway station and Maastricht Noord railway station.

• Dutch Railways runs trains north to Amsterdam, Eindhoven, and Utrecht.
• Arriva runs trains to Heerlen and Valkenburg.
• The National Railway Company of Belgium runs trains south to Liège in Belgium.

By Bus

Regular bus lines connect the city center, outer areas, and train stations. Regional buses go to other parts of Limburg and to Aachen, Germany. Buses also connect Maastricht with Belgian cities like Hasselt and Liège. Many bus companies offer long-distance services to other European cities.

By Air

Maastricht is served by Maastricht Aachen Airport. It is about 10 kilometres (6 miles) north of the city. Airlines like Corendon Dutch Airlines and Ryanair have flights to places around the Mediterranean and to London.

By Boat

Maastricht has a river port called Beatrixhaven. It is connected by water to Belgium and the rest of the Netherlands. This is through the Meuse river and several canals. There are no regular boat services to other cities. But you can take tourist boat trips to Belgian cities like Liège.

Education in Maastricht

Maastricht University, Campus Randwyck

Students at work at UM Law School

Hotel Management School at Bethlehem Castle

High Schools

• Bernard Lievegoedschool
• Bonnefantencollege
• Porta Mosana College
• Sint-Maartenscollege
• United World College Maastricht

Universities and Colleges

• Maastricht University (UM): This includes University College Maastricht and Maastricht School of Management.
• Zuyd University of Applied Sciences: This includes:
  • Academy for Dramatic Arts Maastricht
  • School of Fine Arts Maastricht
  • Maastricht Academy of Music
  • Maastricht Hotel Management School

International Connections

Maastricht has connections with other cities around the world. These are called twin towns.

Famous People from Maastricht

Peter Debye

Tom Dumoulin

Jan Pieter Minckeleers

Henrietta d'Oultremont

André Rieu

Victor de Stuers

Many notable people were born in Maastricht or lived there.

• Peter Debye (1884–1966) – A chemist who won the Nobel prize.
• Tom Dumoulin (born 1990) – A cyclist who won the 2017 Giro d'Italia.
• Jan Pieter Minckeleers (1748–1824) – A scientist who invented coal gas lighting.
• Henrietta d'Oultremont (1792–1864) – The second wife of William I of the Netherlands.
• André Rieu (born 1949) – A famous violinist, conductor, and composer.
• Saint Servatius (4th century–384?) – An early bishop and saint.
• Frans Timmermans (born 1961) – A well-known politician.

Maastricht's Own Song

In 2002, Maastricht officially adopted its own local song. It is called Mestreechs Volksleed in the local dialect. The words were written by Alphonse Olterdissen. The music was composed by his brother, Guus Olterdissen.

Images for kids

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  The Meuse river

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  Saint Servatius Bridge

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  Dinghuis, an old courthouse

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  Maastricht Town Hall

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  Mosae Forum shopping center

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  Saint Servatius Basilica

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  Onze-Lieve-Vrouweplein square

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  Basilica of Our Lady

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  Lang Grachtje street

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  Helpoort ("Hell's Gate"), an old city gate

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  Pater Vink Tower

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  Bastion Haet ende Nijt

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  Stadspark, the main city park

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  Jeker river

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  Bassin harbor

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  Saint Lambert Church

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  Maastricht train station in Wyck

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  Stationsplein, near the train station

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  Hoeg Brögk (High Bridge)

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  Charles Eyckpark in Céramique

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  Public library in Céramique

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  Fortress Sint Pieter

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  View from Slavante

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  Castle ruin Lichtenberg

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  Huis de Torentjes

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  ENCI quarry

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  Château Neercanne

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  View on Cannerberg

Vrijthof square, early morning

See also

In Spanish: Maastricht para niños