Vrijthof, Maastricht

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Another great square to relax is the Vrijthof. On the Vrijthof you will find the St Servaes Basilica, dedicated to the first bishop of Maastricht. But the Vrijthof is even more famous for its bars. The picture shows a group at a VT meeting enjoying the irish pub and its beers.

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Each year at the end of August the Vrijthof square is transformed into a big open air bar/restaurant with some 40 stands.
Additional there are bands performing.
The event has its own money: preuvenelappen. The profits are for charity