Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Login or Signup

Get the App

Login or Signup

Discover
Places to see
Netherlands
Limburg
Maastricht

Maastricht City Walls

Highlight • Historical Site

Maastricht City Walls

Recommended by 105 hikers out of 111

Save

Share

  • More

  • Save

    Share

  • More

  • Take Me There

    Routes here

    Best Hikes to Maastricht City Walls

    4.8

    (267)

    1,582

    hikers

    1. Bemelerberg Cave – Marl Cliff Along the Geul loop from Amby

    29.1km

    07:41

    270m

    270m

    Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Navigate

    Send to Phone

    Expert

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Intermediate

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Intermediate

    Tips

    May 20, 2022

    The fortifications of Maastricht are the fortifications or fortifications of the Dutch-Limburg city of Maastricht, built over a period of 1500 years to protect the city and its inhabitants against enemy attacks.

    The city has been walled and fortified from Roman times until after 1867 (when the fortress status was lifted). Over the centuries, ramparts, walls, gates, towers, bastions and other fortifications have been continuously built. Roughly speaking, one can speak of four construction periods: the Roman-Celtic fortifications, the early medieval fortifications, the medieval city walls and the 16th to 19th century outworks. For centuries, the fortified city of Maastricht was known as the "bulwark of the Netherlands", an outpost of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.

    Source: nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestingwerken_van_Maastricht

    Translated by Google •

      August 17, 2023

      The history of Maastricht has been marked by the presence of soldiers for centuries. The Romans were the first to build a fortress, a castellum. This fortress was located on and around the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. The fortress was designed to protect the very first bridge over the Meuse. At the beginning of the 13th century, Maastricht received city rights and the building of a city wall began. A century later, a second city wall was built around it.
      Second City Wall
      The second medieval city wall on the left bank of the Meuse was created because band buildings formed on the streets, which were an obstacle to the city's defense. Around the middle of the fourteenth century, a populated area had developed in the Boschstraatkwartier, especially on the north side, where many cloth weavers lived. From about 1375 these "suburbs" were enclosed with a new stone wall. The first city wall was preserved as a reserve defensive belt. From the second medieval city wall, a large part of the southern city wall with some (partially reconstructed) towers and the De Reek water gate in the Stadspark are still preserved.
      These building campaigns were the impetus for the development of Maastricht into a fortified city. Due to its strategic location, Maastricht was for centuries one of the most important fortified and garrison cities in north-western Europe.
      Source:
      bezoekmaastricht.nl/locaties/4261339786/vestingwerken

      Translated by Google •

        June 13, 2022

        Nice piece of tangible history

        Translated by Google •

          In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

          Sign up for free

          Details

          Informations

          Elevation 90 m

          Weather

          Powered by AerisWeather

          Today

          Saturday 25 October

          11°C

          6°C

          100 %

          If you start your activity now...

          Max wind speed: 27.0 km/h

          Most visited during

          January

          February

          March

          April

          May

          June

          July

          August

          September

          October

          November

          December

          Loading

          Location: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands

          Other Popular Places to Check Out

          Sint Pietersberg Plateau and Quarry

          Explore
          RoutesRoute plannerFeaturesHikesMTB TrailsRoad cycling routesBikepacking
          Download the app
          Follow Us on Socials

          © komoot GmbH

          Privacy Policy