Eerste Minderbroederskerk (First Franciscan Friars鈥� Church), Maastricht
Eerste Minderbroederskerk is a church that was formerly part of the Franciscan monastery, called Oude Minderbroederklooster, situated on Sint Pieterstraat in Maastricht. The Franciscans got permission to build the monastery in 1234. After it was dissolved in 1639, this complex of buildings has seen many different uses, including an orphanage, an arsenal, a military hospital, and an archive.
The most important remnant of the monastery is the church, whose construction commenced apparently shortly before 1300 and was completed a century later. Spacious and sober, a 'preachery' without a tower, this typically medieval, Maas-Gothic style Franciscan temple was built from Limburg marl on a plinth of coal sandstone.
A number of other monastic buildings still in place also date back to that period. Back in 1506, severe storm caused the roof turret to collapse through the church's roof, inflicting great damage and largely destroying the magnificent main altar. Another, Baroque altar was placed in the temple in 1624. Centuries after the Franciscans were forced out of the monastery, the altar was replaced with a neo-Gothic one 鈥� in 1852.
Curiously enough, over the course of its almost 700-year history, this monastery church has served a non-religious purpose longer than a religious one. Only a few original parts of its interior still remind of the religious use, including various carefully preserved works of art, such as the wall and vault paintings dating from the 16th century, adorning part of the marlstone rood screen and some spots inside the vault. Also notable in this respect are the thirteen ancient gravestones (or fragments thereof) found in the choir, about half of them medieval, including at least two dating back to the 13th century.
The most important remnant of the monastery is the church, whose construction commenced apparently shortly before 1300 and was completed a century later. Spacious and sober, a 'preachery' without a tower, this typically medieval, Maas-Gothic style Franciscan temple was built from Limburg marl on a plinth of coal sandstone.
A number of other monastic buildings still in place also date back to that period. Back in 1506, severe storm caused the roof turret to collapse through the church's roof, inflicting great damage and largely destroying the magnificent main altar. Another, Baroque altar was placed in the temple in 1624. Centuries after the Franciscans were forced out of the monastery, the altar was replaced with a neo-Gothic one 鈥� in 1852.
Curiously enough, over the course of its almost 700-year history, this monastery church has served a non-religious purpose longer than a religious one. Only a few original parts of its interior still remind of the religious use, including various carefully preserved works of art, such as the wall and vault paintings dating from the 16th century, adorning part of the marlstone rood screen and some spots inside the vault. Also notable in this respect are the thirteen ancient gravestones (or fragments thereof) found in the choir, about half of them medieval, including at least two dating back to the 13th century.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
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Eerste Minderbroederskerk (First Franciscan Friars鈥� Church) on Map
Sight Name: Eerste Minderbroederskerk (First Franciscan Friars鈥� Church)
Sight Location: Maastricht, Netherlands (See walking tours in Maastricht)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Maastricht, Netherlands (See walking tours in Maastricht)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Maastricht, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Maastricht
Creating your own self-guided walk in Maastricht is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Maastricht Introduction Walking Tour
Maastricht is an ancient city known for its rich history, medieval architecture, and vibrant cultural scene.
In the first century AD, the Romans built a bridge across the Meuse river. A settlement grew near the bridge. Maastricht's name means "a place to cross the Meuse river". Today, a pillar marks this location of the original Roman bridge.
The Roman settlement was small,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
In the first century AD, the Romans built a bridge across the Meuse river. A settlement grew near the bridge. Maastricht's name means "a place to cross the Meuse river". Today, a pillar marks this location of the original Roman bridge.
The Roman settlement was small,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Maastricht's Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Founded by the Romans some 2,000 years ago, the charming city of Maastricht is one of the oldest in the Netherlands. Its long history is manifested in numerous remnants, including religious and secular buildings of any form. Over the course of the centuries, Maastricht has garnered a wealth of architecture, featuring a variety of styles: Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque and Renaissance.
Cultural... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Cultural... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Statues and Monuments Tour
The citizens of Maastricht are reputed to be spiritual and have a good sense of humor. Their attitude towards life, as well as their customs and traditions, are vividly reflected in the numerous statues and monuments scattered throughout the city.
Among these is the Statue of Jan Pieter Minckeleers, commemorating the local inventor of gas lighting. Another notable figure is the Mooswief, also... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Among these is the Statue of Jan Pieter Minckeleers, commemorating the local inventor of gas lighting. Another notable figure is the Mooswief, also... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Maastricht Ancient Fortification Sites
As a key meeting point for European cultures and trading routes, Maastricht for millennia had been the site of many battles. Once known as the "Bulwark of the Netherlands", the city earned its reputation thanks to the impenetrable defenses that lasted through multiple attacks on its strategic position.
The very first fortifications in Maastricht appeared around the 1200s. Some of them... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
The very first fortifications in Maastricht appeared around the 1200s. Some of them... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles