Parks, Maastricht

1 more image

Favorite thing: If you have the chance, on a sunny morning, to contemplate the medieval towers of Maastricht from Mount Saint Pieter, you will not find it hard to imagine yourself back in centuries past. Strolling down the hill towards the city, you might pass along cornfields, stroke a horse’s head over the barbed wire and pick a poppy flower from the grass. Your steps slowly lead you towards Aldenhof park, at the gates of Maastricht…

But suddenly a tall cast iron statue reminds you that this place was not always so quiet and peaceful. Indeed, in ancient turbulent times, these very spots once resonated with the thunderous clamour of weapons. The statue portrays the glorious musketeer Charles de Batz-Castelmore, better known as d’Artagnan, who perished in 1673 during the siege of Maastricht by the armies of the French king Louis XIV.

Favorite thing: Maastricht Citypark is located on the western bank of the Maas. It is located alongside the old citywalls, the Jeker and the kazematten. Throughout history, the park has had several forms. In the 18 th century it was a walking place between the Onze Lieve gate and the Maas. Since 1837 it was officially called a “park.” It slowly extended since then. The park got lovely, with hills, water reservoirs, animalparks, several walking paths. Some called the most beautifull park in Europe. At 1969 an end came to that. Middle class entrenreneurs were complaining that the park made them less connected for traffic routes. So they cut in the park. The JF Kennedy bridge came and got connected with the Bischopsingel, cutting the park by a traffic road and a tunnel over the Jeker, at the other side the Maasboulevard cut the park from the river Jeker. The most crowded part of the park is the Faliezusterpark. But it is nice to walk from there in the direction of poort Waerachig, crossing the street over the bridge that runs over the Jeker. Here you can enter the park where there are animals kept, and on the right side the citywall. Dugs and swans are fed at the grass along the Jeker. A bit further you pass a brigde over the Jeker and come near the “Berekowl” a hole where bears where kept in the recent past. It’s the waldeckpark. You can cross the traffic street and find on the other side the remenants of the kazematten. On the east side, the park is connected by the Hoeg brök, (high bridge) with 1992 square. Here a little park is located, the Charles Eyck park.

Favorite thing: Maastricht has many parks, but this park has the best senery. Its a park that is located next to the old city wall and some of the cities most interesting buildings. For example the bastion called "Vijf Koppen," the Helpoort and the "Pater Vinktorentje" Its a very relax place, especially in the summer. Just hang around there by the cool water from the bassin and relax

Favorite thing: In the parks along the city walls, you'll find a hertenkamp. This is the home of a couple of small animals. The start attraction are the dear. But there are also geese, chickens, goats, pheasants, peacocks and many more. You can't get in to touch the animals, but they will eat from your hand, if you go to the fence.

Favorite thing: When you want to take a walk along the city walls, make sure to do it on the side that has all the parks. Starting from the Maas, just after Hell´s Gate, turn to the right. You´ll find a couple of parks here that take you along the old city walls and the river Jeker. You´ll find lots of animals there, like ducks, geese and seagulls. And there is also a small animal park with dear, goats, pheasants, peacocks and other small animals.

Favorite thing: Maastricht has still fortified walls to protect the city, a lot of it is damaged, but here and there you can see some beautiful remains of it. On the postcard you see 'the entrancegate 'Poort Waarachtig'.

Favorite thing: Take a trip to Albert Hein. Pick up some bread from a bakery. Take some cheese and fresh deli meats from various lovely stores in the centre. Grab a bottle of wine... Head to the park by the city walls. Check out the animals. Enjoy the beauty of Maastricht!

Favorite thing: The City parc. This is what I know of the history of this part of the city.
A few years after the foundation of the Netherlands and Belgium Maastricht decided to tear down the city walls in order to let the city grow. As a gift to the people of Maastricht they build this parc. At first it was much larger than nowadays. But after they build the channel Maastricht-Liege (and later on removed it) and build the Kennedy bridge the parc is nowadays only a fraction of the original size. In summer you can spend a whole day in the parc sunbathing, reading, skating, fishing, eating icecream, or ... In the other seasons it's nice for walking and meeting people.