Maastricht Underground, Maastricht (must see)
Maastricht Underground is a collection of caves. The caves are also called the Caves of Maastricht or the caves of Mount Saint Peter.
The caves were originally dug in the 13th century to mine chalk. A total of 20,000 tunnels were cut. When lime's value dropped, locals stopped mining. Instead, they started drawing art on the cave's walls. Today, 8,000 tunnels remain spread over 80 kilometers.
During World War II, the caves were used to store paintings. The Night Watch by Rembrandt was one of the paintings hidden in the caves. Rembrandt's famous painting was removed from its frame and rolled into a cylinder for safe-keeping. Locals also stored armaments such as tanks in the cave system.
In addition, over 6,000 locals sheltered in the caves during World War II. The evacuation area features electric lights, a small hospital, a public address system, chapels, a bakery, toilets, and water pumps.
Visitors can explore the caves on a guided walking or scooter tour. It is recommended that visitors bring a coat as the underground caves are quite cold.
Visitors can arrange different tour packages and visit different areas of the caves. The Zonneberg Cave system includes the World War II air-raid shelter. Guests can also see a full-size charcoal version of The Night Watch.
In the North Caves, visitors will descend 30 meters (98 feet) below the surface. This tour features an area where families hid in the caves with their cattle. Visitors can see the oven where the families baked bread.
Visitors can also take private tours or tours catering to kids.
The caves were originally dug in the 13th century to mine chalk. A total of 20,000 tunnels were cut. When lime's value dropped, locals stopped mining. Instead, they started drawing art on the cave's walls. Today, 8,000 tunnels remain spread over 80 kilometers.
During World War II, the caves were used to store paintings. The Night Watch by Rembrandt was one of the paintings hidden in the caves. Rembrandt's famous painting was removed from its frame and rolled into a cylinder for safe-keeping. Locals also stored armaments such as tanks in the cave system.
In addition, over 6,000 locals sheltered in the caves during World War II. The evacuation area features electric lights, a small hospital, a public address system, chapels, a bakery, toilets, and water pumps.
Visitors can explore the caves on a guided walking or scooter tour. It is recommended that visitors bring a coat as the underground caves are quite cold.
Visitors can arrange different tour packages and visit different areas of the caves. The Zonneberg Cave system includes the World War II air-raid shelter. Guests can also see a full-size charcoal version of The Night Watch.
In the North Caves, visitors will descend 30 meters (98 feet) below the surface. This tour features an area where families hid in the caves with their cattle. Visitors can see the oven where the families baked bread.
Visitors can also take private tours or tours catering to kids.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Maastricht. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Maastricht Underground on Map
Sight Name: Maastricht Underground
Sight Location: Maastricht, Netherlands (See walking tours in Maastricht)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Maastricht, Netherlands (See walking tours in Maastricht)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
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.
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
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