Unique Places in Maastricht

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For some reason I neglected to take a photo of the sign at Knooppunt 4 (node 4 of the South Limburg cycling network), but this is where it is, at the corner of Köbbesweg and Hoge Weerd near a wide place in the river at the south end of Maastricht, just west of Gronsveld.

Across the river is a large cement factory called ENCI (Eerste Nederlandse Cement Industrie) (second, third and fourth photos), which turns out to be the largest cement factory in the Netherlands. ENCI has been producing cement in Maastricht since 1926, and directly employs 212 people.

I have since learned that this is an integrated cement plant, meaning that the full cement production process is carried out here. Limestone is mined from a 135-hectare open-air quarry directly behind the plant (clearly visible on aerial photographs as a huge white hole in the ground). In the plant, the limestone is burned in a kiln to make “clinker”, which is then ground into cement.

According to a European Union report, this is a very energy-intensive process. This plant alone, ENCI Maastricht, consumes nearly 1% of the total primary energy demand of the Netherlands. To reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the plant is increasingly using biomass waste as fuel.

Recently the ENCI company, the City of Maastricht and the Province of Limburg have agreed on a “Plan of Transformation” which stipulates that limestone quarrying will end in 2018. The quarry will be transformed into different zones for the countryside and recreation, including 60 hectares of natural biotopes.

GPS 50°48'47.91"N, 5°42'28.36"E
Location of Knooppunt 4 on Google maps

This is another way to see the Maastricht "skyline:" lyning there relaxed on the upperdeck of this boat, and seeing Maastricht passing by... You can get off the boat at the caves, that are at the southern part of the town, and visit the caves, you may also prefer a longer boat trip and let it take you to Liège, an interesting city about 30 km south of Maastricht. All these things can be arranged at the "Rederij Stiphout." They have many arrangements, i give you some ideas: A boat trip with a visit to the caves costs about 9 euro, a trip to Liège (return(!)-ticket) costs about 17 euro; but heij, if you want to do something romantic then you should go on a candleleight cruise, but this is reather expensive (about 43 euro)

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The main attraction of Knooppunt 5 (the fifth node in the South Limburg cycle route network) is the Gronsveld Windmill, which is on the boundary between Gronsveld and Maastricht.

It would have been just a short ride to the town of Gronsveld (1.9 km to Knooppunt 73), and from there another short ride to Rijckholt (2.3 km to Knooppunt 74) or to Sint Geertruid (3.1 km to Knooppunt 72), but since I was there on a very hot day – the 95 % chocolate bar was melting in my backpack, as I later discovered – I decided to be sensible for a change and not over-do it, so from here I just went on to Knooppunt 4 and from there back into Maastricht.

Address: Rijksweg 90, Maastricht
Directions: 50°49'27"N 5°43'46"E
Location of Knooppunt 5 on Google maps

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For an interesting day out from Maastricht a visit to the Netherlands' highest point of Vaalsberg is a must do. OK It's not really a mountain at 322 (and a bit) metres but the sheer novelty value of mountain-climbing in what is otherwise an almost totally flat country makes for a bit of fun.

There's no need to pack your ropes, pitons and crampons though as the ascent from the nearby town of Vaals is a gentle 2 km stroll even if you take the steepest walking route.

From the summit you get great views not just over the Netherlands but also Germany and Belgium as coincidentally the hilltop is also the point where the three countries meet. So not only can you visit the highest point but can also add two more countries to your travel pages at the same time.

At the top there's a couple of restaurants, a pair of overlook towers (if you want to get even higher), a kids play area, a VVV tourist office/souvenir shop and some interesting-looking hiking trails.

To get to Vaalserberg from Maastricht the #50 (I think) bus runs every 20 minutes or so from the main bus station to Vaals (which takes about 30 minutes). From Vaals walk uphill to the south along Kerkstraat (??) and follow the signs for Drielanerpunt.

The best value bus ticket is the "Dagkaart" which costs (July 2010) 5.50 Euros and is valid on all Limburg services for the day (including into Aachen). If you don't fancy the walk up I think there's also an hourly bus from Vaals up to Vaalserberg for which your day ticket is also valid.

Another interesting little stop-off on the route is the small town of Gulpen, best known for its Gulpener brewery, which has a couple of good cafe bars and is a pleasant little town in its own right too.

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Walking along Grate Staat you can find on your left the Dominicanerkerk (Dominicans' church, in English). It was built in 1337 by the Dominicans and I was surprised to discover that nowdays it became a book shop. Inside the shop you can see on the vaults some fantastic frescos showing monks and saints.

You don't need to venture any farther than the center of the city -- but most people do not notice the wonderful plates over many of the doors! Here is one from 1612! Some are quite interesting. So when in Maastricht, look up!

Very surprising, indeed. A new building has been built behind the walls of the former building, with respect for its safeguarding.
Click on the image and you'll see the inscription on the new building 'I am not like I was before". I bow to the constructor.

There were several gates in the city walls. One of them was the St Peters Gate, close to Hell's Gate. Unfortunately this gate no longer exists. The gatehouse on the other hand is still standing. It's a beautiful brick house. It's style is unlike any other house in Maastricht. It was built in the 18th century. In the wall you can still see the iron safe where the key to the gate was stored.

You can see the house on St Pieters Straat.