Between 1773-1777 Colonel-Ingenieur Carel Diederick Du Moulin made the plans for the Hoge Fronten, a 15 hectare defence area. There are dry moats and bastions with bomshelters and explosive storage rooms. It was called the Linie van Du Moulin, today we call what rests de Hoge Fronten. The walls of the bastions shelter rare plant and animal life and are labelled protected naturemonument since 1992. This area is the only place in the Netherlands where you can find the wall-lizard. This is due to the warm microclimate the fortications have. We have also seen foxes here, but the flowers are also great.
The area is managed by the foundation CNME Maastricht & Mergelland.
And is owned by the municipality of Maastricht.
You can walk on top of the fortifications but also on a lower level between the walls. This lower level is partly closed to protect the lizards from roughly may to november.
It is an oases of quietness in the busy city Maastricht and certainly worth to go there for a 30 minutes to an hour walk.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Mainentrance at Lage Frontweg / Cabergerweg
This is one of Maastricht's original city gates, built in 1229, and is the oldest surving city gate in the Netherlands. Strangely enough the reason why it has stood for so long is that by the 14th century its use as a gate became redundant as the city expanded and a second set of walls were built. The Helpoort was then used for storage and as such was never in the frontline during the various battles and city seiges over the centuries.
The gate has recently been fully restored and its towers now host a museum exhibition about the city's fortifications.
Written Aug 31, 2010
Protecting the city from attacks across the Maas River the town was also fortified along the river edge. Cannons protected the town and attackers were taken out before they could do any harm after crossing the river. Today many buildings use the town wall as outer wall, even though those buildings were only built in recent years.
Written Nov 19, 2006
Right next to the Helpoort is the Jeker Tower that stood part of the fortifications of the old town Maastricht. From here attackers were seen and the town informed. Amazing to see that this tower dates back almost 800 years!
Written Nov 19, 2006
The Helpoort forms parts of the earliest city walls and were built with the authorization of Henry I, duke of Brabant in 1229. It is the only city gate that is still left standing and also the oldest of its kind in the Netherlands. The gate was used to defend the city for more then two centuries. Later the Nieuwstad was also walled serving as a second wall of protection.
Written Nov 19, 2006
Address: St. Bernardusstraat 24 B, Maastricht
Reconstructed tower called "Pater Vinktoren"
The Pater Vinktoren tower, where the heads of five inhabitants of Maastricht who had helped the hated Spanish were displayed, has been reconstructed, and a small section of defences around the tower remain
Updated Feb 17, 2006
Address: Near the Hellgate
Also at the eastbank of the river Maas is the Waterpoort, dating back to the 13th century. In 1714 the Waterpoort was enlarged to make it easier to load and unload the ships.
It is supposed that the first wooden medieval bridge crossing the river Maas was at this point before it moved more to the north at the point of the St Servaas bridge.
Updated Nov 2, 2005
Address: Eastbank of the Maas
Also at the eastbank of the Maas are remnants of fortifications from the 14th century. Just south of the new built Hoge Brug stands the Maaspunttoren as a landmark just at the riverside. Once the Maasspunttoren was the southern tower at the corner of the first medieval walls.
Around the Maaspunttoren are newly built walls in red brick in the form of former fortfications as part of the renewal of the public space in this area. It is a lovely place to sit down for a while and have a look at the river and the green area of the park at the westbank.
Updated Nov 2, 2005
The Onze Lieve Vrouwe Wal along the river Maas is part of the first fortifications of Maastricht. This city wall was built in 1229 at the same time as the Helpoort at its southern end.
Walking from the Sint Servaas bridge along the riverbank to the Helpoort or the park you have a good view at this citywall. In front of the wall is a row of old canons.
Updated Sep 13, 2005
Address: Maastricht, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Wal
The Helpoort or Hell´s gate is the oldest surviving towngate in the Netherlands. The Helpoort was part of the oldest fortifications of Maastricht, built in 1229.
In the 15th century a newer fortification was built more south of the towngate. At that time the towngate lost his former function.
You can visit the Helpoort to climb the tower and have a look at a small historical exhibition.
The visiting hours are daily from 13:30 to 16:30 for a free gift.
Updated Sep 13, 2005
Address: Maastricht, st Bernardusstraat
Sponsored Links
Novotel Maastricht Maastricht
4 Reviews and 177 Opinions It's great to see and witness that the hotel has a heated outdoor swimming pool, which you can use...
Townhouse Hotel Maastricht Maastricht
1 Review and 327 Opinions I was very impressed with this hotel and doubly so by the very reasonable rate I got through...
Beaumont Maastricht
3 Reviews and 206 Opinions This is a wonderfull hotel, located in an elegant 1912 house in Wyck. The room is decored in early...
Fortifications tips and photos posted by real travelers and Maastricht locals.
Write a Review
The Helpoort or Hell´s gate is the oldest surviving towngate in the Netherlands. The Helpoort was part of the oldest fortifications of Maastricht, built in...
148 members live in Maastricht

Q: Does anyone know if Cafe Shamrock on Brusselestraat is still open?

A: It still pops up in the Dutch Yellow Pages: http://www.detelefoongids.nl/bg/plaats-Maastricht/w-Cafe%20shamrock/1/ PJ
Read 4 Replies
1
Maastricht: Where life is Good!

Maastricht: what more do you want? The town is known as the most bourgondian in the country. Its life, its people, its drinks and food are standing for a unique experience. Its official that...
2

I've got some interesting experiences in Maastricht. I'd love to share with you the 37 tips I've written, the 136 photos uploaded, and 1 travelogue I've created.
3

I've got some interesting experiences in Maastricht. I'd love to share with you the 85 tips I've written, the 127 photos uploaded, and 5 travelogues I've created.
4
Maastricht -- beautiful city on the Maas

I was lucky to be able to live in Maastricht for about 1/2 of a year! What I noticed is how many tourists stopped -- especially on weekends --- and that is a clear indication of how worthy this town...
5
Enjoying the Burgundian Lifestyle

One of the consequences of the First Treaty of London in 1839 was that the city of Maastricht in Limburg became part of the Netherlands. While Maastricht is politically part of the Netherlands, its......
Build your own Maastricht page
Sponsored Links