Fortifications, Maastricht

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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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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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.

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.