Vrijthof, Maastricht

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.

4 more images

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

At Vrijthof - one of the main squares of Maastricht - you will not only find many bars and restaurants with outdoor seating and a thrilling nighlife but also nice views of two of Maastricht's 3 chuches - Sint Servaasbasiliek and St. Jan Church.

The Center square in Maastricht.. A very nice big opening with St Jan Church on one side...

The terraces of the cafes are very crowded in summer time.. If there is an event happening in Maastricht than follow peoples footsteps and you will be here..:)

Did I say Maastricht had two masters? Let me add a third. Het Vrijthof, now a big square in the centre, once was a small autonomous 'state' that only recognised the German emperor as its master. This 'state' was ruled by the chapter of the church of St. Servatius, built on the grave of this saint. A second church was later built next to it, the St. Jan, when the priests no longer wanted to share their church for purposes like baptisms, marriages and burials. This church was later taken by the protestant minority, that still owns it.

The picture is an old one. At the time of my most recent visit the square was one big hole in the ground.

One of the most famous squares in all of the Netherlands.
In summer, the bars and terraces are extremely crowded and people enjoy the sun lying on the square. The basiliques are also a popular sight for tourists.
In winter, an ice-skate track provides a nice opportunity to enjoy this place.

HET VRIJTHOF

“Het Vrijthof” prove’s that Maastricht has more to offer then just art and culture. Durring the summer you can relax at one of the nice pavements with a great view of “de Sint Servaasbasiliek”.
Besides many bars and café’s, Maastricht has many restaurants where you can tatse the Burgundian kitchen and typical local specialities like “grotchampignons”, “rommedoe-kaas” and “asperges”.

This is the view most people get of these major churches from the Vrijthof - Central Square in Maastricht.

Het Vrijthof, a square full with pavements, a loveley place to sit, drink, eat and for look to other peoples.

This small building next to the St.-Servaasbasiliek was of great importance to the city. It was the place where the keys to the city gates were kept!