Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Maastricht

The Basiliek van onze Lieve Vrouwe - alsdo called Onze Lieve Vrouw "Sterre der Zee" Basiliek - (Basilica of Our Lady) is a Romanesque Catholic church. Probably a Roman temple was built on the same location before the church was built. Most of the present building dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries. The westwork was built in the 11th century, and Gothic vaults in the nave were added in the 13th century. Duringh the French occupation (at the end of the 18th century) the church was used as a stable and a blacksmith shop by the military garrison. It was finally returned to a place of worship in 1837. From 1887 to 1917 the church was thoroughly restored by well-known Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers. He basically removed everything that did not fit his ideal of a Romanesque church. The interior features a couple of mural dasting back to the Middle Ages. The church has a 1652 pipe organ, while the stained glass windows date to the 19th and 20th centuries. Next to the church is a cloistered garden located. Despite the church's beautiful interior, the main attraction of the Basiliek van onze Lieve Vrouwe is without any doubt the miraculous statue of Our Lady, Star of the Sea (PiP2). This 15th-century wooden statue was originally housed in a nearby Franciscan monastery. It was moved to the basilica in 1837. The statue placed in a Gothic chapel near the main entrance where it is visited by hundreds of worshipers daily.

The Romanesque Sint-Servaasbasiliek (Basilica of Saint Servatius) is built on Saint Servatius - an Armenian missionary who died in Maasticht in the year of 384 -gravesite. It is likely that the current building is the 4th iteration of churches on this site. The first church was a small memorial chapel, which was replaced by a larger church. Next, a pilgrim church was built. Finally, the current church was built between the 11th and 12th centuries. The Sint-Servaasbasiliek is considered being the oldest still standing church in the Netherlands. The large, triple-nave transept basilica was built largely in Romanesque style, using millstone grit and marl. The church building serves as a parish church of the Roman Catholic St. Servatius parish and deanery church of Maastricht. Since 1985, the church has held the title of minor basilica. The church, the cloisters, and the treasure room are open to the public and can be visited.

The Helpoort (Hell’s Gate) - also known as Jekerpoort, Hoogbruggepoort, Alde Poort op den Ancker, Kruittorenpoort or De Twee Towers - is part of the original medieval city wall. Hendrik I, Duke of Brabant - gave permission for its construction in 1229. For about two centuries, the gate was part of the city's actual fortifications. It lost this function when the Nieuwstad (New City), the area south of the gate, was surrounded by a wall in the second half of the 15th century. The Helpoort - a Dutch national monument - is the only remaining city gate in Maastricht and the oldest city gate in the Netherlands. The sandstone towers are more than 14 meters high (when included with the towers the height rises above 20 meters). Through the gate one reaches the Sint Bernardusstraat, lined with many monumental buildings (PiP2).

Although the mill is called Torenmolen van Gronsveld it is actually located in suburb of Maastricht. The city was during the construction of the windmill not as big as it is now and all local farmers were only allowed by the local governement to use this windmill. The Tower Mill of Gronsveld was built between 1618 and 1623 - in the elevationon which the mill is built a stone can be found with the inscription “1622”. The construction took place on behalf of Count Joest Maximilliaan van Gronsveld. De Molen van Gronsveld is the most southerly windmill in the Netherlands and the oldest in the province of Limburg. It is one of the few brick windmills in the Netherlands. Probably in 1766 the windmill was made a bit taller. This can be seen at the top end of the windmill. These kind of windmills usually go straight up, but its the top turns slightly inwards at the top (PiP). Between 1924 and 1930 the windmill was taken out of use. In 1941 it was restored. During the fighting on 13 September 1944 with the liberation of Maastricht the windmill and one of the houses next to it were shot at and caught fire. The flour mill has been restored again in 1959. In the beginning of the ‘70’s the windmill has been made in working order and is now regularly in use, grinding grain for farmers and bakers. Torenmolen van Gronsveld can be visted for free, although the opening hours are limited.