Ursulinenklooster (Ursuline Convent), Maastricht
The Ursuline Convent in Maastricht is a historic monastery complex that once housed the Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union. Located in the city center on Grote Gracht and Capuchin Street (Capucijnenstraat), it includes a monastery, chapel, and school buildings, some of which are designated national and municipal monuments. The Ursulines also maintained a country house and cemetery in Sint Pieter, and Maastricht was home to two other Ursuline congregations.
Built in 1890 by architect Johannes Kayser, the convent exhibits strong German Gothic influences. Its chapel, completed in 1892, features a three-aisled design with a distinctive wooden ridge turret and intricate masonry. Inside, it retains much of its neo-Gothic character, including vaulted ceilings, black marble columns, a mosaic terrazzo floor, and stained-glass windows depicting Saint Ursula鈥檚 life. The chapel also houses a high altar by Leo Brom and an organ from around 1870.
The Ursulines arrived in Maastricht in 1850, invited by Louis Hubert Rutten, and initially settled on Jodenstraat before moving to a larger site along the Li猫ge-Maastricht Canal. Their growing numbers led to the development of the current complex, which includes a U-shaped monastery around a courtyard garden with a distinctive staircase tower, statues, and an octagonal pavilion.
Education was central to their mission. They first taught in existing buildings, later commissioning a primary school on Capuchin Street in 1888. By 1916, they expanded into secondary education, leading to the construction of the Jeanne d鈥橝rc Lyceum in 1927鈥�28, a striking Amsterdam School-style building. Later additions, including a 1938 extension by Alphons Boosten, reflect evolving architectural styles.
The Ursuline Convent remains an important historical and architectural landmark, showcasing the enduring influence of the Ursuline Sisters in education, spirituality, and social welfare.
Built in 1890 by architect Johannes Kayser, the convent exhibits strong German Gothic influences. Its chapel, completed in 1892, features a three-aisled design with a distinctive wooden ridge turret and intricate masonry. Inside, it retains much of its neo-Gothic character, including vaulted ceilings, black marble columns, a mosaic terrazzo floor, and stained-glass windows depicting Saint Ursula鈥檚 life. The chapel also houses a high altar by Leo Brom and an organ from around 1870.
The Ursulines arrived in Maastricht in 1850, invited by Louis Hubert Rutten, and initially settled on Jodenstraat before moving to a larger site along the Li猫ge-Maastricht Canal. Their growing numbers led to the development of the current complex, which includes a U-shaped monastery around a courtyard garden with a distinctive staircase tower, statues, and an octagonal pavilion.
Education was central to their mission. They first taught in existing buildings, later commissioning a primary school on Capuchin Street in 1888. By 1916, they expanded into secondary education, leading to the construction of the Jeanne d鈥橝rc Lyceum in 1927鈥�28, a striking Amsterdam School-style building. Later additions, including a 1938 extension by Alphons Boosten, reflect evolving architectural styles.
The Ursuline Convent remains an important historical and architectural landmark, showcasing the enduring influence of the Ursuline Sisters in education, spirituality, and social welfare.
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Ursulinenklooster (Ursuline Convent) on Map
Sight Name: Ursulinenklooster (Ursuline Convent)
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.
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 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
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