Streets & neighbourhoods, Maastricht

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If you are interested in modern architecture or urban planning, you must spend time in the Ceramique District. You can purchase a self-guided walking tour/map at the Centre Ceramique, a stunning example of modern design on the Plein 1992, just over the lighter-than-air pedestrian and cycle bridge from the old city center. The entire district once housed the Sphinx porcelain/pottery factory, and is now a planned community that includes apartments, offices, government buildings, a hotel, and a museum. I found myself taking pictures of the Centre Ceramique from every angle. The pedestrian bridge is stunning. And the Patio Sevilla, one of the apartment complexes along the Avenue Ceramique, has the loveliest terraces I've ever seen.

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Purchase the brochure/map at the Visitor Center. The tour begins and ends at the Visitor Center and they recommend you allow 1 1/2 hours to complete the tour. However, I chose to walk slowly and savor different sections on different days. My favorite parts of the walk were the Onze Lieve Vrouwewal, the Helpoort, and the streets of Lang Grachtje, Hilariusstraat, and Grote Looiersstraat. I encourage you to explore all of the streets near the Natural History Museum, the Jan Van Eyck Academy, and the University. Don't be afraid to stray off the tour if you find a street that intrigues you. I discovered that the city was big enough that I could explore a different neighborhood every day I was there (4 days), but small enough that I never got lost.

In this small street you find the remains of an old city wall, the firts one. (1229). it has also the remains of a tower in the wall. The wall is very thick. (2.5. meter). In the industrial age there were poor houses for the working class build under and onto the wall. now its an ideal street with plants in summer.

Shamrock is the bar to go to if you're an American or are fluent in English. They have Grolsch on tap, other bottled beer and they have TV's which play American Football, soccer or baseball. There's also foosball, pool and darts. If they can tell you're American (which 9 out of 10, they just know) and you're buying a lot of beer, they'll ask if you want to play beer pong. They'll just put a piece of plywood over the pool table and have you play.

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The Wijck area lies between the railwaystation and the Maas, river opposite the old citycentre. The name Wijck comes originally from the Roman word ' Vicus', meaning suburb. This area at the eastern side of the river Maas was a suburban area in the Roman times.

In Wijck you can find some wide avenues lined with trees and large houses. Walking here gives you the feeling being in Brussel or Paris. In Wijck you can find some interesting restaurants and shops. At saturday there is a market at the Stationsstraat.

Wijck was also known by a brewery, where they produced the so-called Wieckse Witte (closed down in 2003). Its one of my favourite beers, though I red in a report 'sweetish, with an unpleasant chewing-gum flavour'. Just try it youself..

I have been to Maastricht several times, by car and by motorcycle, but didnt take pictures then
Maastricht is a fun, beautifull city, fantastic, great atmosphere, very nice people and i like the Limburgs accent and the beer:-)))

Its only 1 hrs by car or t
rain from Eindhov+en.

as for daytrips, Maastricht has a lot to offer.
U can sit on terraces looking at the river "Maas".

Looking East from the central and very historic St. Sevaas bridge you can see the beautiful view of "Wijk" and St. Maartin's church and the former Ridder Brewery. The brewery is now closed and is, in fact, partly a private home!

The Jeker area is named after the little river Jeker that streams here. It is located on the north side of the city walls. Over the river you can see this little nice House, with beautiful facades on both (!!) sides.

The central square.....Market square... Not much to add here...
On Friday morning they opened a mobile market, which was closed shortly after lunch time and the square was back used as a huge car park.

In the days of the Roman Empire the eastern part of Maastricht was called “Vicus”(suburb) and indeed, it was the Maastricht suburbian erea. The name Wyck comes from Vicus. In this part of the city you can find the Ridder brewery, that is open to public (guided tour) and is famous for its Wyckse Witte, a tasty beer that is very popular in the Netherlands, and even outside the country. The quarter has some interesting spots, f.e the Hoogbrugstraat. This is one of the eldest streets in town; and has on both sides of the street some 17 th. Century houses, build in a typical local style, called “Maaslandse Renaissance” style. A style that can be characterized by span-roofs, broad facades, big carriage-entrances, windows framed by big stones that come from Namur (Belgium). At the riverbank you find the so called Waterpoortje, a 13 th century gate, that is part of the mediavel townwall. In Wyck you find a lot of small, typical shops, that are situated in the Rechtsstraat. In spring they celebrate the Wycker Bronk. Originally a religious festival, nowadays you find in several parts of the quarter live-music and people dancing on streets.