Vrijthof, Maastricht

3 more images

During the entire month of December Maastricht is wrapped in Christmas spheres and of course visiting the Christmas market is a must. From the central station alight route will guide you through the charming streets of the old town. At the end of the route you will find the Christmas market with ice rink and Ferris wheel at the Vrijthof. Right here you can enjoy the Christmas spirit and even start a tour through Maastricht by a tilt-cart.

We strolled along the Christmas stalls and saw some nice Christmas trinkets. We walked zigzag along the Christmas stalls were amazed by all the different stuff sold. We bought a nice hat, but even so we were able to buy candles, incense, teddy bears, airplane tickets to other Christmas market around Europe, et cetera … you name it and it was there. After we saw all the stalls it was time to indulge in an authentic bratwurst and another glass of mulled wine. You guessed it right, we stayed for quite a long time at the Christmas market. Walking around, be amazed by the great scenery, the numerous lights and enjoy some more mulled wine. What else did we need? LOL

3 more images

I guess that it is quite simple: discover the magical atmosphere throughout the city centre of Maastricht during the winter time. All the squares, little streets and courtyards are filled with winter activities. The holiday season will bring you many special moments at various beautiful locations in the city center. Another nice fact is that in 2011 Maastricht was named Best Christmas Shopping city of Netherlands. Combine this with the Christmas market on the Vrijthof and it all comes together.

Like I wrote before we first sat down on a heated terrace with a view of the Sint Servaasbasiliek and the Sint Janskerk, which is truly magnificent. After we enjoyed the mulled wine it was time to enter the Netherlands’ most beautiful square: Vrijthof. We started at the 800 m2 skating rink, where young and old can have fun on the ice. It is also fun to watch everybody enjoying themselves, sometime life can be so simple! Besides this you can also admire the skyline from a breathtaking height on the Ferris wheel or take a ride on the carousel. We didn’t, but I can imagine it is a lot of fun.

3 more images

Whenever we decided to go to Maastricht for a weekend we wanted to combine this with the Christmas market of the city. Therefore we visited the city during December 2012 when all the winter fun was in full effect. We knew that winter in Maastricht would mean endless fun and that the historical city centre would be enjoying the holiday season. Highlight would be the winter fun at the Vrijthof square. So there we went!

When we arrived in Maastricht we saw that the entire historical downtown was connected by lit streets and squares, giving this very nice and magical atmosphere. We definitely felt the Christmas spirit and enjoyed it to the fullest. Finally we arrived at the Vrijthof, the place we wanted to be. Immediately we saw a large ice skating ring, the Christmas market and the Ferris wheel located at the square and just stopped our walk and waiting for a few seconds, tot stand in awe by the sight we saw. By now it was time to sit back and give our feet a rest. We found a seat on one a heated café terrace with a view of the majestic Sint Servaasbasiliek (Basilica of St. Servatius) and the Sint Janskerk (Church of St. John). During our break we enjoyed one of the many winter specialties such as “oliebollen” (deep-fried doughnuts) to go with, of course, mulled wine.

1 more image

The Militaire Hoofdwacht or militairy guardhouse at the west side of the Vrijthof was built in 1738, replacing the old building from 1642. In former days this was the place where the keys of the gates of the city were kept.

The Military Hoofdwacht was the central building of the fortifications of Maastricht, where the guarding of most important military objects was arranged. In this building the Garrison Commander, the Military council, rooms of the Officers and soldiers of the guard were settled.

Until 1995 it was the seat of the Regional Military Commander South/ Garrison Commander Maastricht. Nowadays it is the seat of the Commander of the "Regiment Limburgse Jagers".

3 more images

On the south side of Vrijthof you can see the nice palace of the Spanish government (Spaans Gouvernement, in Dutch). It belonged to the dukes of Brabant from the thirteenth century and restored in the 15th century. Now it is a historical museum with very interesting furniture, paintings, ceramics and much more from the 17th and 18th century.

2 more images

Vrijthof is the best-known and most important square in the city. The many trees in the square give you the place where to relax during the summer season and it is very popular among the inhabitants. Along its sides there are ancient houses which nowadays are shops and restaurants.
The two important monuments you can see in the square are Sint Servaas basiliek and Sint Janskerk with their fantastic apses.

4 more images

The Vrijthof is the main plein (square) in Maastricht's city center. The Vrijthof's main attractions are the Basiliek Sint Servaas (St. Servaas Basilica) and the Sint Jan Kerk (St. Jan Church). Along the plein, there are also numerous sidewalk cafés and pubs. It is a wonderful place to sit and people-watch.

2 more images

The Vrijthof is the city's main sqaure. In the old days, there used to be a churchyard at this place, so that is why it is called "Vrijthof." This townsqaure is doninated by two monumental churches, the Sint Servaas and the Sint Jan, with it's striking red colored tower. There are many cosy pubs and pavement-café', a theater and a museum. Whenever the Maastricht people have something to celebrate - and that often happens - they do this on the Vrijthof.

3 more images

The Vrijthof is the main square in the old citycentre and one of the liveliest squares in Maastricht.
At the westside of the square are the St Servaas Church, the St Jans Church and the Military Guardhouse. At the east side are many bars and restaurants with lovely terraces. At the northside is the theater and at the southside the Spaans Gouvernement, a museum.

In the former days, the Vrijthof was a churchyard, that's why it is called "Vrijthof." Nowadays there are many festivities at the Vrijthof. I saw for example open-air concerts, streetstalls and the announcement of the Preuvenemint, a gastronimic event in the end of August.

The Spanish Government Museum is located in the 16th century Spanish Government House, built as a chapter house. Originally this building was one of the oldest houses of Maastricht dating back to the 14th century. The Renaissance arcade in the courtyard has carved medallions with portraits of Charles V, Isabelle of Portugal and the young Philip II. They all stayed in the Spanish Government House.

The museum contains period rooms with furniture, silver, porcelain and pottery, glassware and paintings from mainly the 17th and 18th century . Two of the rooms have been decorated in the mid-18th century Liège-Maastricht Régence Style.

Opening hours:
Wednesdays to Sundays, 1p.m. - 5 p.m.

Entrance fee: adults: € 2.50, children up to 16 years: free of charge
admission during exhibitions: adults: € 3.50