Fort St. Pieter (Saint Peter's Fortress), Maastricht (must see)
Saint Peter's Fortress was built during the 18th century to defend Maastricht from the French. The fortress was built on St. Peter's Mount.
The French breached the walls of Maastricht and sacked the city in 1673, and the city responded by building a stronger fort. Saint Peter's Fortress was built in a hexagonal shape. The fort's interior features a maze of passages and tunnels.
The French attacked again in 1793 with an army of 15,000 men, and the fort was put to the test. Led by the governor of Maastricht, Prince Frederick of Hesse-Kassel, the Dutch garrison of 4,500 men successfully defended the city. The thick walls of the fort were impenetrable and the rows of gunnery windows offered defenders amble opportunities to make the invaders suffer.
Visitors can join a guided tour to explore Saint Peter's Fortress. The tour guide will show visitors underground tunnels, the canon gallery, the secret water well, and the stunning view.
The French breached the walls of Maastricht and sacked the city in 1673, and the city responded by building a stronger fort. Saint Peter's Fortress was built in a hexagonal shape. The fort's interior features a maze of passages and tunnels.
The French attacked again in 1793 with an army of 15,000 men, and the fort was put to the test. Led by the governor of Maastricht, Prince Frederick of Hesse-Kassel, the Dutch garrison of 4,500 men successfully defended the city. The thick walls of the fort were impenetrable and the rows of gunnery windows offered defenders amble opportunities to make the invaders suffer.
Visitors can join a guided tour to explore Saint Peter's Fortress. The tour guide will show visitors underground tunnels, the canon gallery, the secret water well, and the stunning view.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Maastricht. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Fort St. Pieter (Saint Peter's Fortress) on Map
Sight Name: Fort St. Pieter (Saint Peter's Fortress)
Sight Location: Maastricht, Netherlands (See walking tours in Maastricht)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Maastricht, Netherlands (See walking tours in Maastricht)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Maastricht, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Maastricht
Creating your own self-guided walk in Maastricht is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Maastricht's Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Founded by the Romans some 2,000 years ago, the charming city of Maastricht is one of the oldest in the Netherlands. Its long history is manifested in numerous remnants, including religious and secular buildings of any form. Over the course of the centuries, Maastricht has garnered a wealth of architecture, featuring a variety of styles: Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque and Renaissance.
Cultural... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Cultural... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Maastricht Introduction Walking Tour
Maastricht is an ancient city known for its rich history, medieval architecture, and vibrant cultural scene.
In the first century AD, the Romans built a bridge across the Meuse river. A settlement grew near the bridge. Maastricht's name means "a place to cross the Meuse river". Today, a pillar marks this location of the original Roman bridge.
The Roman settlement was small,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
In the first century AD, the Romans built a bridge across the Meuse river. A settlement grew near the bridge. Maastricht's name means "a place to cross the Meuse river". Today, a pillar marks this location of the original Roman bridge.
The Roman settlement was small,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Maastricht Ancient Fortification Sites
As a key meeting point for European cultures and trading routes, Maastricht for millennia had been the site of many battles. Once known as the "Bulwark of the Netherlands", the city earned its reputation thanks to the impenetrable defenses that lasted through multiple attacks on its strategic position.
The very first fortifications in Maastricht appeared around the 1200s. Some of them... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
The very first fortifications in Maastricht appeared around the 1200s. Some of them... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Statues and Monuments Tour
The citizens of Maastricht are reputed to be spiritual and have a good sense of humor. Their attitude towards life, as well as their customs and traditions, are vividly reflected in the numerous statues and monuments scattered throughout the city.
Among these is the Statue of Jan Pieter Minckeleers, commemorating the local inventor of gas lighting. Another notable figure is the Mooswief, also... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Among these is the Statue of Jan Pieter Minckeleers, commemorating the local inventor of gas lighting. Another notable figure is the Mooswief, also... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles