Maastricht:VisualDelight
Written: Oct 15 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Countryside, history in the ruins, ambiance.
Cons: Off some beaten paths.
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| bevk's Full Review: Maastricht |
I visited Maastricht several years ago quite by accident. I would recommend it so highly I would go out of my way to see it. It is a less discovered place than many tourist destinations, and it is a visual delight. It is a walled city, and you can enter it by crossing the seemingly large Maas River. I had the feeling of entering an historic walled city. It is especially romantic at night when the old walls are lit, and you stand in a courtyard or square area containing many pleasing old houses, from the 16th and 17 centuries. Many have been restored in a long term restoration effort. The walled fortifications that remain suggest how much many different leaders wanted to occupy this town. It has withstood many armed conflicts since Roman times.
The people all speak English, and usually French and German, in addition to Dutch. They were helpful and, genuinely friendly. Hotels were plentiful, and ours was clean, and in the European style, functional but not elegant.The food was excellent. We went to dinner by cab, to a castle nearby, with superb dining. Be prepared for the European standard of a relaxing two hour dinner at finer establishments.
Major attraction for me was the preserved ruins, houses and cathedral. Not a place for museum devotees. St Servaaskerk, the former cathedral dedicated to St. Servatuius, the first Bishop of Maastrict, is a vast Romanesque, dating from 6AD. The church interior with round arches on square piers is impressive, as is the whole structure.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
bevk
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Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 4 members
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