Religious and modern Maastricht
Maastricht &# 8211; A small town in the south of the Netherlands, clamped between Belgium and Germany, the capital of Limburg Province. According to advertising slogans, he Located "in the heart of Europe" and is one of the most international in Europe. It was here that in 1992 the European Union was founded.
This is the oldest city of the Netherlands. He competes with more northern neymegen, but most sources still point to Maastricht. For the first time Maastricht Mentioned in Roman times. At that time, the city was located strategically, since for many kilometers in Maastricht there was a single bridge over the Masa River.
Bridges and markets
Start a tour stands from the oldest city bridge. One, built by the Romans, was demolished, but created in the 9th century, Stone, preserved until now. He is named after St. Servacheko, Patron Maastricht. The last span was raised earlier because he separated the left bank of Maastricht from the Wome River on the other hand. Although this is one city for several centuries, the inhabitants of the opposite sides of Maas do not like each other and even speak on another dialect.
On the West Bank of the River also worth a visit Market Square With Town Hall and Monument to the inventor of the gas lamp. Once the Maastricht was a divided city &# 8211; As a result of the war, he found himself in the hands of two princes of Liege and Brabant. The wall shared the city, but later built not a new town hall, but divided the existing. Therefore, to this day, the building has two entrances and perfectly symmetrically.
The second market of Maastricht &# 8211; Freithof &# 8211; Place of festivals, meetings and demonstrations. As well as the location of many cafes and restaurants. The most interesting events here occur during the carnival, celebrated in Limburg, and the annual concerts of the famous violinist Andre Rye from Maastricht. In Freithof, you can enjoy the best regional cake of Maastricht, and drink Dutch beer.
In Freithof is located Basilica St. Servacheko. This is the oldest church in the Netherlands.
Leaving Freithof, you can admire with winding narrow streets with high apartment buildings. Over the centuries in the Netherlands, the tax paid from the area occupied by the building. That’s why built narrow multi-storey high-rise buildings.
Part of the Maastricht, located within the former defensive walls, which are still visible in many places, is the oldest area. In the IX and XX centuries, it was extremely workers working in factories, the number of which grew at high speed. Maastricht was then the most industrialized city in the region. In the 1960s and 1970s, the authorities decided to repair the center and rebuild it, while maintaining the original style. Currently, here are the most expensive shops and restaurants.
Walking around the city center, you can often Meet university buildings. More than 20,000 students study at the University of Maastricht, which is 1/6 of the total population of the city. Most faculties are located in old apartment buildings in the center.
Religious and modern Maastricht
You can be surprised by the number of churches in Maastricht. Limburg &# 8211; Sole Catholic region in the country. But churches that cannot pay taxes are sold from the auction. That is why there is a bookstore in the Maastricht in the old churches (according to the Guardian the most beautiful in the world), hotel, lecture halls, gym.
On the other side of the river located Modern center of ceramics, city library and art center.
Nearby is located Museum Bonnefanten. The building was built entirely of bricks restored after demolitions, and if you look from above, it has a letter form.
The Government of the province where the Maastricht Treaty was signed is close to the museum. In 1992, on its basis The European Union was created. Thanks to this agreement, the introduction of Euro.
The Eastern Beach is also the area of Wake, which was once a separate city. His main axis &# 8211; Street Brubstrat, Connecting UL. Servakego with railway station. There are many shops, in sunny Saturdays they are filled with Germans and Belgians.
Maastricht Railway Station was one of the first in continental Europe. It was founded at the beginning of the 19th century and since then remains unchanged.
Maastricht &# 8211; small but charming city. Typical for Netherlands Elements &# 8211; Bicycles, Cafes and Channels &# 8211; Mixed with regionalism: kitchen, mountainous surroundings and different mentality of residents. Therefore, the place of birth of the European Union is unusual and interest even those who know the Netherlands well.
Useful information
Accommodation: Hostel Stay Okay &# 8211; Cheap and good place to stay (from 22 euros per day). There are also many chartsurfing opportunities due to a large number of students. There are many four-time and five star hotels in the city, for example Hotel Beaumont (from 100 euros), Grand Hotel L&# 8217; Empereur (from 80 euros) or NH Hotel (from 100 euros) 99 euros).
Nutrition: In Maastricht many cafes and restaurants. Prices start from 5-10 euros for dinner (cheap, but very good places for students, such as Kiwi). For 15-30 euros, you can dine in one of the restaurants on Freithof or Markt. For gourmet &# 8211; Restaurant Beluga, where one dish can cost several dozen euros.
Language: Official language &# 8211; Dutch, writing similarly to German. However, in Maastricht, you can easily speak English, as well as often in German or in French.
Transport: Maastricht &# 8211; A small town, to any place almost everywhere you can get on foot. City buses are very roads (from 3 euros for the trip) and impractical. To feel like a real Dutch, you can rent a bike (about 15 euros per day), this is the most convenient way of movement in the city center.
An airport: Maastricht Airport serves only a few Ryanair routes to the south of Europe and the combination of Germanwings with Berlin-Shenefeld. Nearest major airports &# 8211; Cologne (1 hour by car), Amsterdam (2.5 hours on the train) and Brussels (1.5 hours by train).
