Statues and Monuments Tour (Self Guided), Maastricht

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 known as the Vegetable Woman Statue, symbolizing the city's vibrant trade history and adorned annually with a vegetable wreath before Carnival.

The Saint Amor Column, or Sint Amorzuil, commemorates a French pilgrim, encapsulating a historical narrative of faith and reverence in Maastricht. Meanwhile, the Hawt Uuch Vas Fountain adds a touch of whimsy with its playful design.

Visitors can admire the bronze image of Hendrik van Veldeke, a prominent medieval Dutch author celebrated for his contributions to literature.

Further along, the city pays homage to the Dutch poet, writer, and composer, Fons Olterdissen, with a statue depicting him addressing his children.

The Child Monument (Levensvreugd) embodies the innocence and joy of youth, while the Statue of Pieke oet de Stokstraot, featuring a boy and his dog, serves as a poignant reminder of the city's history and poverty.

And of course, one cannot miss the Maastricht Spirit Statue (Mestreechter Geis), capturing the unique charm, resilience, and creativity of locals – an iconic figure in the city's Carnival celebrations since the 1960s.

Collectively, these statues and monuments serve as reminders of Maastricht's cultural identity, inviting visitors to explore them with curiosity and appreciation. As you wander through the streets of Maastricht, take a moment to pause and admire these artistic expressions. Let them inspire you to delve deeper into the city's history and uncover the stories that shape its character.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Mark Ahsmann.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Maastricht

Guide Name: Statues and Monuments Tour
Guide Location: Netherlands » Maastricht (See other walking tours in Maastricht)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 9
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Author: ellen
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:

Statue of Jan Pieter Minckeleers
Mooswief (Vegetable Woman Statue)
Sint Amorzuil (St. Amor Column)
Hawt Uuch Vas Fountain
Statue of Hendrik van Veldeke
Statue of Fons Olterdissen
Levensvreugd (Child Monument)
Statue of Pieke oet de Stokstraot
Mestreechter Geis (Maastricht Spirit Statue)

1) Statue of Jan Pieter Minckeleers

Visiting Markt Square you will notice a statue with an eternal flame that is located between St. Mathias Church and City Hall. This is a statue of Jan Pieter Minckeleers, a famous Dutch scientist and inventor who died in 1824. Jan Pieter Minckeleers invented gas lighting. In Maastricht, Minckeleers taught at the École Centrale. The statue was designed by Bart van Hove and was unveiled in 1904. It is made of bronze.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Phernambucq.

2) Mooswief (Vegetable Woman Statue)

Another statue you can see on Markt Square is Mooswief, or the Vegetable Woman. Farmers from the vicinity would frequently come to sell their fresh vegetables at Markt Square, which was always the heart of Maastricht’s trade. The sculpture is the last work of sculptor Charles Vos. It is made of stone and bronze and was unveiled in 1953. Unfortunately the creator of Mooswief died before he could witness the unveiling. Every year on the Saturday before the Carnival, a wreath made of vegetables is put on the statue’s shoulders.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Otter.

3) Sint Amorzuil (St. Amor Column)

Sint Amorzuil, or St. Amor Column, is a piece by sculptor Charles Vos. The monument is located on the square that bears the same name. Amor was a Frenchman who went on a pilgrimage to the grave of St. Servatius in Maastricht. He spent his last days in this city. He was buried in a chapel located at the square. Today the chapel no longer exists and Amor's remains were relocated. The statue of the saint is made of French limestone and is set on a 22-meter-high sandstone pillar. It was unveiled in 1951.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Otter.

4) Hawt Uuch Vas Fountain

Hawt Uuch Vas Fountain is located at Maastricht's central square, Vrijthof. It is related to Carnival and symbolizes community and spirit, fun and charity. The sculpture depicts five carnival figures, two men, two women and a child, in masks, dancing hand in hand around the fountain. The work was made by sculptor Frans Gast and was unveiled in 1978.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Otter.

5) Statue of Hendrik van Veldeke

The statue of Hendrik van Veldeke is located at a small square named in his honor near St. Servaas Church. Hendrik van Veldeke was the first author to write in Dutch. One of his well-known works, "The Legend of St. Servatius", was written in the 12th century. His other famous story is about the Trojan hero Eneas. He also wrote stories, poems and songs that were sung by troubadours across Europe. The statue of Hendrik van Veldeke is made of bronze and was created by famous Maastricht sculptor Charles Vos. It was unveiled in 1934.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Otter.

6) Statue of Fons Olterdissen

Fons Olterdissen was an important local cultural figure. He was a Dutch poet, a writer and a composer who wrote the Maastricht anthem. He was often called a “Renaissance man” due to his range of talents. Fons Olterdissen wrote his works in Maastricht dialect. Several decades after his death a statue was built in his honor. Willem Hofhuizen created a sculpture of Fons Olterdissen addressing his children, two boys and a girl. The work is made of bronze and was unveiled in 1961 on Grote Looiersstraat.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Mark Ahsmann.

7) Levensvreugd (Child Monument)

Wandering across Grote Looiersstraat you will see a statue on top of a Roman column. It depicts a mother with four children. Levensvreugd, also known as the Child Monument, translates from Dutch to Living Joy. The monument is a call for people to help and support those suffering financial and social problems, especially children, as they represent the future. Levensvreugd was created by sculptor Willem Hofhuizen in 1957. The monument is made of bronze, sandstone, bluestone and cobbles.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Otter.

8) Statue of Pieke oet de Stokstraot

Pieke oet de Stokstraot is one of the most famous and interesting monuments in Maastricht. It depicts a boy sitting on a wall with his dog Maoke and selling cigarettes to passers-by. Pieke and his dog are two characters from a novel by Bèr Hollewijn. Pieke lived on Stoksstraat at a time when the city suffered from great poverty. The piece was designed by R. van Kesteren and created by sculptor Nicolas Van Ronk Stein. It was unveiled in 1996.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Gouwenaar.

9) Mestreechter Geis (Maastricht Spirit Statue)

Mestreechter Geis is the Spirit of Maastricht. It reflects Maastricht citizens’ humor, spirituality and creativity. The statue also has become a symbol of Maastrciht’s Carnival. Mestreechter Geis is a character from an operetta by Lou Maas and was originally a harlequin from the Comedie dell' Arte. The statue is made of bronze and stands on a lava rock pedestal. It was created by Mari Andriessen and was given as a gift to Mayor Michiel Baron of Kessinich for his jubilee in 1962.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Heavyuser.

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.

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The very first fortifications in Maastricht appeared around the 1200s. Some of them... view more

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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.

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