Maastricht, to the south of the Netherlands between Belgium and Germany, is testimony to twenty centuries of history and a long tradition of openness. Its mix of different genres, of traditional heritage side by side with the new, is what gives the place its charm.

There are towns which are destined to be at the centre of exchange. Maastricht, on account of its strategic position on the Meuse, half way between Aix la Chapelle, in Germany, and Liège, in Belgium, has always been a city at the crossroads, at times enriched by trade along the rivers, at others being the political and cultural confluence of different regions. And this was the past on which she made her fortune. A historic town, surrounded by the remains of ramparts, inside it is home to a network of tiny narrow cobbled streets with their fine residences and churches which speak volumes about Maastricht’s past influence. If you want to explore, just set off for the old district of Wyck.

This happy situation has given the town countless attractions and tourism is the prime beneficiary. It is a city of different cultures, a student city with European universities and institutes and has the reputation of being one of the Netherland’s main shopping centres, with its chic district around the Stokstraat. As far as festivities are concerned, the town is known for its Carnival in February and its Tefaf Festival.

However, Maastricht has also made incursions onto the west bank of the Meuse. That’s where the new Ceramic district is located, home to some remarkable feats of architecture, such as the Bonnefanten Museum (paintings), the library, the Derlontheater, Plein 1992 square (a reference to the famous European Maastricht Treaty) and the Ceramic Centre, a museum for ceramics and pottery. As a symbol of the union between both banks, there is a pedestrian bridge linking old and new Maastricht.