he 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