Stadhuis (City Hall), Maastricht
The historic Stadhuis is the Town Hall of Maastricht. This detached five-storey building, completely clad in Namur stone, with a sloping slate roof, was designed by Pieter Post and is considered to be an important example of Dutch classicism.
The foundation stone was laid in 1659; also, buried in the southwest corner of the structure, is a lead box containing coins and a copper plaque. The municipal council moved in here in 1664, although it wasn't until 1684 that the Town Hall's tower was completed, delayed by the lack of funds. Today, inside this 25-meter structure is the carillon of 49 bells which toll automatically every half hour.
The front façade decoration includes sculpted figures: the city maiden depicted with the Maastricht coat of arms, flanked by the seated Mars (symbol of resilience of Maastricht) and Minerva (with the head of Medusa and an owl symbolizing wisdom).
The rich, largely 18th-century interior, emerged after the French bombardment during the Siege of Maastricht (1793) which had heavily damaged the building. It reflects the duality of Maastricht, whereby the edifice is divided in two: the north half – Liège, and the south half – Brabant. The Liège rooms are on the main side because the Prince-Bishop of Liège, as a cleric, was considered higher in rank than the Duke of Brabant. The front, western part of both halves was intended for the judiciary (schout and aldermen), while the rear, eastern part was for the city administrators (mayors and councillors).
Up until the 19th century the Town Hall had housed an entire civil service of Maastricht, including the municipal library, archives, prison, weigh house and the carpentry yard. Interrogation rooms, prison cells and jailers' quarters were located on the ground floor and in the cellars.
The foundation stone was laid in 1659; also, buried in the southwest corner of the structure, is a lead box containing coins and a copper plaque. The municipal council moved in here in 1664, although it wasn't until 1684 that the Town Hall's tower was completed, delayed by the lack of funds. Today, inside this 25-meter structure is the carillon of 49 bells which toll automatically every half hour.
The front façade decoration includes sculpted figures: the city maiden depicted with the Maastricht coat of arms, flanked by the seated Mars (symbol of resilience of Maastricht) and Minerva (with the head of Medusa and an owl symbolizing wisdom).
The rich, largely 18th-century interior, emerged after the French bombardment during the Siege of Maastricht (1793) which had heavily damaged the building. It reflects the duality of Maastricht, whereby the edifice is divided in two: the north half – Liège, and the south half – Brabant. The Liège rooms are on the main side because the Prince-Bishop of Liège, as a cleric, was considered higher in rank than the Duke of Brabant. The front, western part of both halves was intended for the judiciary (schout and aldermen), while the rear, eastern part was for the city administrators (mayors and councillors).
Up until the 19th century the Town Hall had housed an entire civil service of Maastricht, including the municipal library, archives, prison, weigh house and the carpentry yard. Interrogation rooms, prison cells and jailers' quarters were located on the ground floor and in the cellars.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
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Stadhuis (City Hall) on Map
Sight Name: Stadhuis (City Hall)
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
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
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
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