200. Europe Bicycle Trip--A Personalized Tour of Maastricht By Jacques

Jacques cleared his schedule of meetings for today so that he could take me for a personalized tour of Maastricht this afternoon. The weather was a little overcast so we took rain gear. We caught the train in Nieuwstadt and it wasn't long before we arrived in Maastricht. Maastricht is the capital city of this southernmost province of Limburg, Netherlands. It is located on both sides of the Meuse (Maas) River at the point where the Jeker River joins it. In history, Maasstricht developed from a Belgic settlement , that in the Gallic Wars was conquered by the Romans and thus became a Roman settlement, to a religious center, a garrison city and an early industrial city. Nowadays, it is known as a city of culture and education.It has 1677 national heritage sites, second only to Amsterdam. Maastricht is known as the birthplace of the European Union, European citizenship and the European currency, the Euro. It is popular with tourists for shopping and recreation, and has a large growing international student population.

Maastricht train station

Statue in the middle of the main intersection

Here I am with Jacques on St. Servatiu Brug (Bridge) which is the oldest bridge in the Netherlands.It is named after Saint Servatius, the first bishop of Maastricht.  This arched stone footbridge was built in the 13th century and has been repaired and updated so many times that only a single arch remains from the original structure. It has a metal drawbridge to accommodate water traffic. There are 5 bridges that cross the Maas in Maastricht.

The bridge connects pedestrian traffic from the Binnenstad district of Maastricht on the west bank of the Meuse (Maas) to the Wyck district on the east bank.

A tour boat that has just come under one of the newer bridges, the Wilhelminabrug, built in 1932.

A carnival statue

A narrow street with arched stone walkway entrances on the right side

Shops busy with tourists

Famous Dutch NIJNTJE WINKEL(Bunny store) My grandson, Dane really liked the NIJNTJE cookies.

Hotel Derlon was built on Roman remains which are now a museum and cafe in the basement.

Archeological remains in the cellar of the hotel

This used to be the site of a Hercules temple.

Today the hotel has dining tables set up around the ruins (left of photo)

The stones pictured here made up the walls of an ancient  Roman bathhouse. "Op de Therme"

Basilica of Our Lady (Star of the Sea)--It is a Romanesque basilica probably built on a site was occupied by a Roman temple. The stones in the westwork, date back to 1000AD. Most of the original church was built in the 12th century. Throughout the Middle Ages, this church chapter was in rivalry with Saint Servatius church. From 1887-1917 the church was thoroughly restored.

Side chapel and wall of church

Wall of church with big hook decorations

Entrance to Side chapel

Devotees could light candles.

Wall sculpture

Old Roman wall with cannons and University College Maastricht buildings behind the wall

A shady resting place inside the wall

Jacques and I headed through this archway.