official name	Maastricht
native name	''Mestreech''
flag size	120x100px
image shield	Maastricht wapen.svg
shield size	120x100px
blank emblem type	Simplified arms
anthem	''Mestreechs Volksleed''
Coordinates region	NL
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Netherlands
Subdivision type1	Province
Subdivision name1
Subdivision type2	COROP
Subdivision name2	South Limburg
Parts type	City subdivisions
Parts	40 neighbourhoods
Governing body	Gemeenteraad Maastricht
Leader party	VVD
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Onno Hoes
Established title	Settled
Established date	≈ 500 BC
Established title2	City rights
Established date2	1204
Area footnotes	(2006)
Area total km2	60.06
Area land km2	56.80
Area water km2	3.26
Population as of	1 January 2010
Population note	Source: CBS, Statline.
Settlement type	Municipality
Population total	118,523
Population density km2	1957
population blank1 title	Demonym
population blank1	(Dutch) Maastrichtenaar; (Limb.) Mestreechteneer or Sjeng
Timezone	CET
Utc offset	+1
Timezone dst	CEST
Utc offset dst	+2
Postal code type	Postal code(s)
Postal code	6200 AA - 6229 ZZ
Area code	043
Twin1	Liège
Twin1 country	Belgium
Twin2	Koblenz
Twin2 country	Germany
Twin3	Rama
Twin3 country	Nicaragua
Website	http://www.maastricht.nl/

Maastricht ( (southern Dutch) or (northern); Limburgish (incl. Maastrichtian) ''Mestreech'' ; French ''Maëstricht'' (archaic); Spanish ''Mastrique'' (archaic)) is a city in the Netherlands. It is located in the southern part of the Dutch province of Limburg, of which it is the capital.

In Dutch, a resident of Maastricht is referred to as ''Maastrichtenaar'' whilst in the local dialect it is either ''Mestreechteneer'' or, colloquially, ''Sjeng'' (derived from the formerly popular French name ''Jean'').

Maastricht is widely known as a city of history, culture, local folklore and education. The town is popular with tourists for shopping and recreation. Maastricht is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network. The city has a large growing international student population.

Location

Maastricht is situated on both sides of the Meuse river (Dutch: ''Maas'') in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands, on the Belgian border (with both the Dutch-speaking Flemish and French-speaking Walloon region within easy reach from the city centre) and near the German border. The city is part of the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, the ''Euregio'' that includes Aachen, Hasselt and Liège in respectively Germany and Belgium.

History

Etymology

The name Maastricht is derived from Latin ''Trajectum ad Mosam'' (or ''Mosae Trajectum''), meaning 'crossing at the Meuse', and referring to the bridge built by the Romans during the reign of Augustus Caesar. The Latin name first appears in medieval documents and it is not known whether this was Maastricht's official name during Roman times.

'Oldest city in the Netherlands' dispute

There is some debate as to whether Maastricht is the oldest city in the Netherlands. Some people consider Nijmegen the oldest, mainly because it was the first settlement in the Netherlands to receive Roman city rights. Maastricht never did, but it may be considerably older as a settlement. In addition, Maastricht can claim uninterrupted habitation since Roman times. A large number of archeological finds confirms this. Nijmegen has a gap in its history: there is practically no evidence of habitation in the early Middle Ages.

Early history

Neanderthal remains have been found to the west of Maastricht (''Belvédère excavations''). Of a later date are Paleolithic remains, between eight and 25 thousand years old. Celts lived here 500 years before the Romans came, at a spot where the river Meuse was shallow and therefore easy to cross.

The Romans built a bridge over the Meuse, and a road that connected Bavay and Tongeren, the capitals of the Nervians and Tungri, with Cologne, the capital of the Ubians. Roman Maastricht was probably small. Remains of the bridge, walls, a religious shrine, a granary and a Roman bath have been excavated.

The Armenian-born Saint Servatius was the first bishop of Maastricht. Allegedly, he built the first church on the site of a roman temple within the Roman castrum, the site of the present-day Basilica of Our Lady. The city remained an early Christian diocese until it lost this position in the 8th century to nearby Liège.

Middle Ages

In the early Middle Ages Maastricht was, along with Aachen, part of the heartland of the Carolingian Empire. In the 12th century the town flourished culturally. The two main churches were largely rebuilt and redecorated. Maastricht Romanesque stone sculpture is regarded as one of the highlights of Mosan art. Around the same time, the poet Henric van Veldeke wrote a legend of Saint Servatius, one of the earliest works in Dutch literature.

Shortly after 1200 the city received dual authority, with both the bishops of Liège and the dukes of Brabant holding joint sovereignty over the city. Maastricht received city rights in 1204. Soon afterwards the first ring of Medieval walls were built. Throughout the Middle Ages, the city remained an important centre for trade and manufacturing (wool, leather), although gradually economic decline set in. After a brief period of economic prosperity in the 15th century, the city's economy suffered during the wars of religion of the 16th and 17th centuries, and recovery did not happen until the industrial revolution in the early 19th century.

In 1579 the city was sacked by the Spanish army under general Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma. For over fifty years the Spanish crown took over the role of the dukes of Brabant in Maastricht. In 1632 the Spanish were replaced by the Dutch States General when the city was conquered by Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange.

Bulwark of the Netherlands

The important strategic location of Maastricht in the Dutch Republic resulted in the construction of an impressive array of fortifications around the city during the 16th-19th centuries. The Spanish and Dutch garrisons were an important factor in the city's economy.

An important event, known as the Siege of Maastricht, took place in 1673 during the Franco-Dutch War. In June 1673, Louis XIV laid siege of the city because French battle supply lines were being threatened. During this siege, Vauban, the famous French military engineer, developed a new strategy in order to break down the strong fortifications surrounding Maastricht. His systematic approach remained the standard method of attacking fortresses until the 20th century. On 25 June 1673, while preparing to storm the city, Captain-Lieutenant Charles de Batz de Castelmore, also known as Comte d'Artagnan, was killed by a musket shot outside ''Tongerse Poort''. This event was immortalized in Alexandre Dumas' novel ''The Vicomte de Bragelonne'', part of the D'Artagnan Romances (D'Artagnan is one of the ''Mousquetaires du Roi'' ('Three Musketeers') in this series).

French troops occupied Maastricht from 1673 to 1678. It was subsequently restored to Dutch rule but in 1748 the French again took the city after the Second Siege of Maastricht during the War of Austrian Succession. The French returned once more in 1794, when Maastricht was annexed and became a French city of what would become the First French Empire. For 20 years Maastricht was the capital of the French département of Meuse-Inférieure.

Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

After the Napoleonic era, Maastricht became part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815. It was made capital of the newly formed Province of Limburg. When the southern provinces of the new kingdom subsequently seceded in the Belgian Revolution (1830), the Dutch garrison in Maastricht remained loyal to the Dutch king, William I of the Netherlands, even though the surrounding area came under Belgian control. Arbitration by the Great Powers in 1831 allocated the city to the Netherlands. However, neither the Dutch nor the Belgians agreed to this and it was not until the 1839 Treaty of London that the arrangement became permanent.

Because of its eccentric location in the Netherlands, and its geographical and cultural proximity to Belgium, integration of Maastricht and Limburg into the Netherlands did not come about easily. Due to its proximity to the Walloon industrial basin, Industrialisation happened earlier in Maastricht than in other Dutch cities. Maastricht retained a distinctly non-Dutch appearance during much of the 19th century and it was not until the First World War that the city was forced to look northwards.

20th century

Maastricht did not escape the ravages of World War II. It was quickly taken by the Germans during the Battle of Maastricht in May 1940, but on 14 September 1944 it was also the first Dutch city to be liberated by allied forces. The three Meuse bridges were destroyed or severely damaged during the war.

The latter half of the century saw the decline of the traditional industries and a shift to a service economy. Maastricht University was founded in 1976. In 1992, the Maastricht treaty was negotiated and signed here, leading to the creation of the European Union and the euro.

21st century

In recent years, under Gerd Leers, who was mayor from 2005 to 2010, Maastricht launched a campaign against drug-related problems. Leers instigated a controversial plan to move several of the coffee shops - where the purchase of soft drugs in limited quantities is tolerated - from the city centre to locations on the outskirts of town, in a bid to stop (foreign) buyers from causing trouble in the city centre. Unsurprisingly, this ''coffee corner plan'' did not go down well with neighbouring municipalities.

On a positive note, large parts of the city centre were thoroughly refurbished under mayor Leers, including the area near the main railway station, the ''Markt'' (market square), the ''Entre Deux'' and ''Mosae Forum'' shopping centres and the ''Maasboulevard'' (a promenade along the Meuse). Maastricht looks notably smarter as a result, and further large-scale projects are underway, such as the redevelopment of the ''Sphinx'' and ''Belvédère'' areas.

Culture & tourism

Sights of Maastricht

Maastricht is known for its picturesque squares, romantic streets, and historical buildings. The tourist information office (VVV) is located in the ''Dinghuis'', a 15th-century former town hall and law courts building on the corner of Grote Staat and Kleine Staat. The main sights include:

City Fortifications, including:

* ''Helpoort'' - a 13th century town gate, the oldest in the Netherlands.

* ''fragments of the first and second medieval city walls''.

* ''Hoge Fronten'' (or ''Linie van Du Moulin'') - remnants of 17th and 18th century fortifications with a number of well-preserved bastions and an early 19th century fortress ''Fort Willem''.

* Casemates - underground network of tunnels, built as sheltered emplacements for guns and cannons. These tunnels run for several miles underneath the city's fortifications. Guided tours available.

Binnenstad - inner city shopping district, including Grote and Kleine Staat, and high-end shopping street Stokstraat. Maastricht is also well known for its cafés, pubs and restaurants.

* ''Dinghuis'' - Medieval courthouse with an early Renaissance façade.

''Entre Deux'' - a recently rebuilt shopping centre which has won several international awards. It includes a book store located inside a former 13th century Dominican church. In 2008, British newspaper The Guardian proclaimed this the world's most beautiful bookshop.

Vrijthof - the best-known square in the city. Sights:

* ''Sint-Servaas Basiliek'' - Romanesque church of Saint Servatius. The tomb of Saint Servatius in the crypt is a favoured place of pilgrimage: Pope John Paul II visited here in 1985.

* ''Sint-Janskerk'' - sandstone Gothic church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist with distinctive red tower.

* ''Theater aan het Vrijthof'' - main city theatre with Neoclassical façade.

Onze Lieve Vrouweplein - picturesque tree-lined square with an abundance of pavement cafes. Sights:

* ''Basilica of Our Lady'' - 11th-century church.

* Derlon Museumkelder - a small museum in the basement of hotel Derlon with Roman remains.

Markt - the Market Square was completely refurbished in 2006-2007 and is now virtually traffic free. Sights include:

* ''Town hall'' - built in the 17th century by Pieter Post.

* Mosae Forum - a brandnew shopping centre and civic building designed by Jo Coenen and Bruno Albert. ''Citroën Miniature Cars'', the world's largest exposition of Citroën miniature cars, is inside the Mosae Forum parking garage below the square.

Bassin - a restored early 19th century inner harbour with restaurants and cafés. The surroundings are currently being developed into a cultural hotspot.

Jekerkwartier - a picturesque neighbourhood with the small river Jeker popping up between old houses and remnants of city walls.

* Natural History Museum.

Wyck - the old quarter on the right bank of the Meuse river. Rechtstraat is the main shopping street in Wyck with a mix of specialty shops, art galleries and restaurants.

Céramique - a modern neighbourhood on the site of the former Céramique potteries. Now a showcase of architectural highlights:

* Bonnefanten Museum by Aldo Rossi.

* ''Centre Céramique'' (public library and exhibition space) by Jo Coenen.

* ''La Fortezza'' by Mario Botta.

* ''Siza Tower'' by Álvaro Siza Vieira.

* Also buildings by MBM, Cruz y Ortiz, Luigi Snozzi, Aurelio Galfetti, Herman Hertzberger, Charles Vandenhove, Bob Van Reeth and Wiel Arets.

Parks - there are various parks in Maastricht. Of particular note are the following:

* ''Stadspark'' - the main public park on the West bank of the river.

* ''Monsigneur Nolenspark'' - extension of Stadspark with remnants of medieval city walls.

* ''Aldenhofpark'' - another extension of Stadspark with statue of d'Artagnan.

* ''Charles Eykpark'' - modern park between the public library and Bonnefanten Museum on the East bank of the Meuse river

* ''Griendpark'' - modern park on the East bank of the river with inline-skating and skateboarding course.

Sint-Pietersberg - a modest hill just South of the city, peaking at above sea level. Sights:

*''Fort Sint-Pieter'' - an 18th-century fortress fully restored in 2008.

*''Grotten Sint-Pietersberg'' (caves) - sandstone (marl) quarry with vast network of man-made tunnels. Guided tours are available.

*''Ruine Lichtenberg'' - a farmstead containing a ruined medieval castle keep.

*''D'n Observant'' - artificial hilltop on Sint-Pietersberg.

Museums in Maastricht

Bonnefanten Museum - the foremost museum for old masters and contemporary fine art in the province of Limburg. The collection features Medieval sculpture, early-Italian and Southern Netherlandish painting, and contemporary art (American Minimalism, Concept Art and Arte Povera.

Museum aan het Vrijthof - local history museum in the 16th century ''Spanish Government'' building, featuring period rooms with 17th and 18th century furnishings, Maastricht silver, porcelain, glassware, and a collection of Flemish Baroque paintings and 20th century paintings from local artists.

Treasury of the Basilica of Saint Servatius - religious artifacts from the 4th - 20th century, notably those related to Saint Servatius. Highlights: the shrine, the key and the crosier of Saint Servatius, and the reliquary bust donated by Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma. Every seven years, during the ''Heiligdomsvaart'' ceremony, the 12th-century gilded ''Noodkist'', a reliquary containing the saint's relics, is taken out of the treasury and carried around the town centre.

Treasury of the Basilica of Our Lady - religious artifacts.

Derlon Museumkelder - a preserved archeological site in the basement of a hotel with Roman and pre-Roman remains.

Natural History Museum - exhibiting collections relating to geology, paleontology and flora and fauna of Limburg. An important treasure in the collection is the skeleton of a Mosasaur.

Events & Festivals

The European Fine Art Fair - ''TEFAF'' is the world's leading art and antiques fair (March).

''Preuvenemint'' - a large culinary event held on the Vrijthof square (August).

''Winterland'' - a winter-themed fun fair and Christmas market held on the Vrijthof square (December/January).

Amstel Gold Race - international cycling race which starts in Maastricht (usually April).

''Jumping Indoor Maastricht'' - international ''concours hippique'' (showjumping).

''Maastrichts Mooiste'' - annual running and walking event.

André Rieu Vrijthof concerts - the famous Maastricht violin player and orchestra director André Rieu traditionally gives a series of concerts on Vrijthof square in Summer.

Musica Sacra - a festival of religious (classical) music (September).

''Jazz Maastricht'' - jazz festival formerly known as ''Jeker Jazz'' (Autumn).

''Nederlandse Dansdagen'' - modern dance festival (October).

KunstTour - annual art festival (May).

''Inkom'' - the traditional opening of the academic year and introduction for new students of Maastricht University (August).

Carnival ''(Dutch: Carnaval, Limburgish and Maastrichtian: Vastelaovend)'' - a traditional 3-day festival in the southern part of the Netherlands (February/March). In Maastricht largely celebrated outdoors.

''11de van de 11de'' - the official start of the carnival season (November 11).

Furthermore, the ''Maastricht Exposition and Congress Centre'' (MECC) hosts many events throughout the year.

Cannabis

On 16 December 2010, the Court of Justice of the European Union upheld a local Maastrict ban on the sale of cannabis to foreign tourists, restricting coffee shops to residents of Maastricht. The ban did not affect scientific or medical usage. While the ban is now legal to enforce, its future is uncertain as the city council of Maastricht and other cities have voted against the planned "cannabis pass system".

Language

Maastricht is a city of linguistic diversity, thanks to its location at the crossroads of multiple language areas and its international student population.

Dutch is the national language and the language of elementary and secondary education (excluding international institutions) as well as administration. Dutch in Maastricht is often spoken with a distinctive Limburgish accent, which should not be confused with the Limburgish language.

Limburgish (or ''Limburgian''), is the overlapping term of the tonal dialects spoken in the Dutch and Belgian provinces of Limburg. The Maastrichtian dialect (''Mestreechs'') is only one of many variants of Limburgish. It is characterised by stretched vowels and some French influence on its vocabulary. In recent years the Maastricht dialect has been in decline (see dialect levelling) and a language switch to Standard Dutch has been noted.

French formerly was the language of education in Maastricht and throughout the 19th century it was spoken by the upper classes. Between 1851 and 1892 a Francophone newspaper (''Le Courrier de la Meuse'') was published in Maastricht. Nowadays, the language is still often part of secondary school curricula. Many proper names and some street names are French and the language has left many traces in the local dialect.

German, like French, is often part of secondary school curricula. Due to Maastricht's geographic proximity to Germany and the great number of German students in the city, German is widely spoken.

English has become an important language in education. At Maastricht University it is the language of instruction for many courses. Many foreign students and expatriates use English as a lingua franca. English is also a mandatory subject in Dutch elementary and secondary schools.

Education

Secondary education

''Bernard Lievegoedschool'' (Anthroposophical education)

''Bonnefantencollege''

International School Maastricht - since September 2009 a United World College

''Porta Mosana College''

Sint-Maartenscollege

Tertiary education

Maastricht University (Dutch: ''Universiteit Maastricht'') including:

* University College Maastricht

Maastricht School of Management

Teikyo University

Zuyd University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: ''Hogeschool Zuyd'', also has departments in Sittard and Heerlen) including:

* Academy for Dramatic Arts Maastricht (Dutch: ''Toneelacademie Maastricht'')

* School of Fine Arts Maastricht (Dutch: ''Academie Beeldende Kunsten Maastricht'')

* Maastricht Academy of Music (Dutch: ''Conservatorium Maastricht'')

* ''Academy of architecture''

* ''Teachers training college''

* ''Translators college''

* ''Maastricht Hotel Management School''

Other

Jan Van Eyck Academie - post-academic art institute

Berlitz Language School Maastricht

''Talenacademie Nederland''

Economy

Private Companies based in Maastricht

ENCI - First Dutch Cement Industry

Sappi - South African Pulp and Paper Industry

Mosa - ceramic tiles

BASF - previously Ten Horn, pigments

Hewlett-Packard - previously Indigo, manufacturer of electronic data systems

Vodafone - mobile phone company

DHL - international express mail services

Teleperformance - contact center services

Mercedes-Benz - customer contact centre for Europe

VGZ - health insurance, customer contact centre

Esaote (former Pie Medical Equipment) - manufacturer of medical and veterinary diagnostic equipment

Pie Medical Imaging - cardiovascular quantitative analysis software

CardioTek - manufacturer of medical equipment for Cardiac electrophysiology procedures

BioPartner Centre Maastricht - life sciences spin-off companies

Public Institutions

Administration of the Dutch province of Limburg

Meuse-Rhine Euroregion

''Limburg Development Company LIOF''

Rijksarchief Limburg - archives of the province of Limburg

Eurocontrol - European Organisation for the Safety and Operation of European Airspace

European Journalism Centre

European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)

European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM)

''European centre for work and society (ECWS)''

''Maastricht Centre for Transatlantic Studies (MCTS)''

''Expert Centre for Sustainable Business and Development Cooperation (ECSAD)''

''Council of European Municipalities and Regions (REGR)''

''European Centre for Digital Communication (EC/DC)''

UNU-MERIT

''Maastricht Research School of Economics of TEchnology and ORganization (METEOR)''

''Research Institute for Knowledge Systems (RIKS)''

''Cicero Foundation (CF)''

Sports

In football, Maastricht is represented by MVV Maastricht (Dutch: ''Maastrichtse Voetbal Vereniging''), currently playing in the Dutch first division of the national competition (which is actually the second league after the ''Eredivisie'' league). MVV's home is the Geusselt stadium near the A2 motorway.

Maastricht is also home to the Maastricht Wildcats, an American Football League team and member of the AFBN (American Football Bond Nederland).

Since 1998, Maastricht has been the traditional starting place of the annual Amstel Gold Race - the only Dutch cycling classic. For several years the race also finished in Maastricht, but since 2002 the finale has been on the Cauberg hill in nearby Valkenburg.

Politics

!style="text-align: left;"

+ Election results of 2006: council seats
Party !!Seats!	Compared to 2002
align="left"	13	+5
align="left"	CDA	7
align="left"	GroenLinks	5
align="left"	VVD	3(4)
align="left"	SP	3
align="left"	Senioren	3
align="left"	D66	2
align="left"	Stadsbelangen	2
align="left"	Liberalen Maastricht	1
Total !! 39 !! –

The municipal government of Maastricht consists of a city council, a mayor and a number of aldermen. The city council, a 39-member legislative body directly elected for four years, appoints the aldermen on the basis of a coalition agreement between two or more parties after each election. The 2006 municipal elections in the Netherlands were, as often, dominated by national politics and led to a shift from right to left throughout the country. In Maastricht, the traditional broad governing coalition of Christian Democrats (CDA), Labour (PvdA), Greens (GreenLeft) and Liberals (VVD) was replaced by a centre-left coalition of Labour, Christian Democrats and Greens. Two Labour aldermen were appointed, along with one Christian Democrat and one Green alderman. Due to internal disagreements, one of the VVD council members left the party in 2005 and formed a new liberal group in 2006 (Liberalen Maastricht). The other opposition parties in the current city council are the Socialist Party (SP), the Democrats (D66) and two local parties (Stadsbelangen Mestreech (SBM) and the Seniorenpartij).

The aldermen and the mayor make up the executive branch of the municipal government. The current mayor of Maastricht is Onno Hoes, a Liberal (VVD), who was appointed after the popular previous mayor, Gerd Leers (CDA), decided to step down in January 2010 following the 'Bulgarian Villa' affair.

One controversial issue which has characterized Maastricht politics for years and which has also affected national and even international politics, is the city's approach to soft drug policy. Under the pragmatic Dutch soft drug policy, a policy of non-enforcement, individuals may buy and use cannabis from 'coffeeshops' (cannabis bars) under certain conditions. Maastricht, like many other border towns, has seen a growing influx of 'drug tourists', mainly young people from Belgium, France and Germany, who provide a large amount of revenue for the coffeeshops in the city centre. The city government, most notably ex-mayor Leers, have been actively promoting drug policy reform in order to deal with its negative side effects.

Under one of the latest proposals, known as the 'Coffee Corner Plan' and proposed by then-mayor Leers, the city council unanimously voted in November 2008 to relocate most of its coffeeshops from the city centre to the edge of town, where the sale and use of cannabis can more easily be monitored. The purpose of this plan was to reduce the impact of drug tourism on the city centre, such as parking problems and the more serious issue of the illegal sale of hard drugs in the vicinity of the coffeeshops. The Coffee Corner Plan, however, has met with fierce opposition from neighbouring municipalities and from national government, where the Christian Democrats take a notably more conservative approach to soft drugs than their local party and mayor. Bordering towns and the federal government in Belgium have also opposed the city's policy, citing Maastricht's plan to move the coffeeshops towards the Belgian borders as a violation of European law. The plan has been the subject of various legal challenges and has not yet been carried out.

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Maastricht is twinned with: Liège, Belgium Koblenz, Germany Rama, Nicaragua

Other relations

Most Ancient European Towns Network

Neighbourhoods

Maastricht consists of five districts and over 40 neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood has a number which corresponds to its postal code.

# ''Maastricht Centrum'' (''Binnenstad, Jekerkwartier, Kommelkwartier, Statenkwartier, Boschstraatkwartier, Sint Maartenspoort, Wyck-Céramique'') # ''South-West'' (''Villapark, Jekerdal, Biesland, Campagne, Wolder, Sint Pieter'') # ''North-West'' (''Brusselsepoort, Mariaberg, Belfort, Pottenberg, Malpertuis, Caberg, Malberg, Dousberg-Hazendans, Daalhof, Boschpoort, Bosscherveld, Frontenkwartier, Belvédère, Lanakerveld'') # ''North-East'' (''Beatrixhaven, Borgharen, Itteren, Meerssenhoven, Wyckerpoort, Wittevrouwenveld, Nazareth, Limmel, Amby'') # ''South-East'' (''Randwyck, Heugem, Heugemerveld, Scharn, Heer, De Heeg, Vroendaal'')

The neighbourhoods of Itteren, Borgharen, Limmel, Amby, Heer, Heugem, Scharn, Oud-Caberg, Sint Pieter and Wolder all used to be separate municipalities or villages until they were annexed by the city of Maastricht in the course of the twentieth century.

Transport

By car

Maastricht is served by the A2 and A79 motorways. The city can be reached from Brussels and Cologne in approximately one hour and from Amsterdam in about two and a half hours.

The A2 motorway that runs through Maastricht is heavily congested and causes air pollution in the urban area. Construction of a two-level tunnel designed to solve these problems is scheduled to start in 2011 and last until 2016.

In spite of several large underground car parks, parking in the city centre forms a major problem during weekends and bank holidays due to the large numbers of visitors. Parking fees are high in order to incite visitors to use public transport or park and ride facilities away from the centre.

By train

Maastricht is served by three rail operators, all of which call at the main Maastricht railway station near the centre and the smaller Maastricht Randwyck, located near the business and university district. Services northwards are operated by Dutch Railways, including regular intercity trains to Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Den Bosch and Utrecht. The National Railway Company of Belgium runs south to Liège and Brussels in Belgium. The line to Heerlen, Valkenburg and Kerkrade is operated by Veolia. The former railway to Aachen was closed down in the 1980s. The old westbound railway to Hasselt (Belgium) is currently being restored. This line will be used as a modern tramline, scheduled to open in 2012.

By bus

Regular bus lines connect the city centre, outer areas, business districts and railway stations. The regional Veolia bus network extends to most parts of South Limburg as well as to Hasselt, Tongeren and Liège in Belgium, and Aachen in Germany.

By air

Maastricht is served by nearby Maastricht Aachen Airport - locally known as ''Beek'' - with scheduled flights to Alicante, Berlin, Faro, Girona, Málaga, Pisa, Reus, Trapani and charters to popular holiday destinations during the summer season. The airport is located about 10 kilometres north of Maastricht's centre.

By boat

Maastricht has a river port (''Beatrixhaven'') and is connected by water with Belgium and the rest of the Netherlands through the river Meuse, the Juliana Canal, the Albert Canal and the Zuid-Willemsvaart.

Distances to other cities

These distances are as the crow flies and therefore not represent actual overland distances.

Liège: 25.5 km south Aachen: 31.0 km east Düsseldorf: 86.2 km north-east Cologne: 89.6 km east Brussels: 95.1 km west Antwerp: 97.8 km north-west Luxembourg City: 141.4 km south-east Utrecht: 142.4 km north-west Rotterdam: 144.5 km north-west Amsterdam: 175.1 km north-west Lille: 186.3 km south-west Frankfurt am Main: 228.8 km south-east Leeuwarden: 261.6 km north Paris: 326.6 km south-west

Local anthem

In 2002 the municipal government officially adopted a local anthem ([Limburgish (Maastrichtian variant): ''Mestreechs Volksleed'', [Dutch language|Dutch]]: ''Maastrichts Volkslied'') composed of lyrics in Maastrichtian. The theme was originally written by Alfons Olterdissen (1865–1923) as finishing stanza of the Maastrichtian opera "Trijn de Begijn" of 1910.

Natives of Maastricht

:''See also People from Maastricht''

Jan Pieter Minckeleers (1748–1824) - scientist and inventor of coal gas lighting

Peter Debye (1884–1966) - Nobel prize winning chemist

Sjeng Kerbusch (1947–1991) - behavior geneticist

Hubert Hermans (1937) - psychologist and creator of Dialogical Self Theory

Maxime Verhagen (1956) - politician

Bram Moszkowicz (1960) - prominent Dutch lawyer

Hendrick Fromantiou (1633/4 - after 1693) - still life painter

Johann Friedrich August Tischbein (1750–1812) - portrait painter

Henric van Veldeke (12th c) - poet

Pierre Kemp (1886–1967) - poet

Henri Arends (1921–1993) conductor

André Rieu (1949) - violinist and founder of the Johann Strauss Orchestra

Benny Neyman (1951–2008) - singer of popular songs

Gerard Bergholtz (1939) - football player (MVV and Netherlands national football team)

Boudewijn Zenden (1976) - football player

Fred Rompelberg (1945) - cyclist, current holder of the World Speed Record Cycling

Ad Wijnands (1959) - cyclist, Tour de France stage winner

Pieter van den Hoogenband (1978) - swimmer and triple Olympic champion

Gallery

See also

Jewish Maastricht

References

;Notes

External links

City of Maastricht - official site (English)

Maastricht Region Business Platform - Maastricht Business (English)

Famous inhabitants of Maastricht

Maastricht in Roman times

Webpage about Maastricht fortifications

Webpage about the 1673 siege

D’Artagnan’s death at the 1673 siege of Maastricht, an article by H. Reuvers in Crossroads

The history of carnival in Maastricht, an article by H. Reuvers in Crossroads

Category:Cities in the Netherlands Category:Populated places in Dutch Limburg Category:Provincial capitals of the Netherlands Category:University towns in the Netherlands Category:Belgium–Netherlands border crossings

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name	André Rieu
background	non_vocal_instrumentalist
birth name	André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu
birth date	October 01, 1949
origin	Maastricht, Holland
instrument	Violin
genre	Waltz
occupation	Conductor, violinist
years active	1978–present
label	Denon Records , Philips
website	www.andrerieu.com
notable instruments	Stradivarius violin (1667) }}

André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu (born 1 October 1949) is a Dutch violinist, conductor, and composer best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra.

Early life and studies

The name Rieu is of French Huguenot origin. He began studying violin at the age of five. His father, of the same name, was conductor of the Maastricht Symphony Orchestra. From a very young age he developed a fascination with orchestra. He studied violin at the Conservatoire Royal in Liège and at the Conservatorium Maastricht, (1968–1973). His teachers included Jo Juda and Herman Krebbers. From 1974 to 1977, he attended the Music Academy in Brussels, studying with André Gertler, getting his degree "Premier Prix" from the Brussels Royal Conservatory.

Career

At University he performed the ''Gold And Silver Waltz'' by Franz Lehár. Encouraged by the audience reaction he decided to pursue the waltz form. Rieu formed the Maastricht Salon Orchestra and performed as a violinist with the Limburg Symphony Orchestra. In 1987, he created the Johann Strauss Orchestra and his own production company. Since then, his melodramatic stage performances and rock-star demeanor have for some been associated with a revival of the waltz music category. André Rieu plays a 1667 Stradivarius violin.

In April 2009 (Australia)/June 2009 (UK), he made a cameo appearance as himself on "Ramsay Street" in the long-running Australian soap opera ''Neighbours''.

Johann Strauss Orchestra

The Orchestra began in 1987 with 12 members but now performs with between 40 and 50 musicians. At the time the Orchestra first toured Europe, there emerged a renewed interest in waltz music. The revival began in the Netherlands and was ignited by their recording of the ''Second Waltz'' from Shostakovich's ''Jazz Suites''. As a result, Rieu became known as the waltz King.

Rieu and his orchestra have performed throughout Europe, in North America, and Japan. Winning a number of awards including two World Music Awards, their recordings have gone gold and platinum in many countries, including 8-times Platinum in the Netherlands. In September 2007 Rieu performed in Australia for the first time solo, without his Orchestra at the Eastland shopping centre in the Melbourne suburb of Ringwood playing "My Way" and "Waltzing Matilda"—and the next day appeared at Sydney's Arena Cove, Warringah Mashopping with the same set. Rieu and orchestra returned to Australia in November as part of his world tour. Rieu and his orchestra played 3 concerts at Melbourne's Telstra Dome from 13–15 November and continued their tour throughout Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, through to December 2008. The concert theme is 'A Romantic Vienna Night' and the set comprises a life-size reproduction of the Viennese imperial Schönbrunn Palace, complete with 2 ice-skating rinks, 2 Fountains, and a ballroom dance floor situated above and behind the Orchestra. Rieu's largest concert attendance to date in Australia was 38,000 on Saturday 15 November in Melbourne. The Perth concert did not feature the replica of the Viennese Palace as it was stated in the press because it would not fit into the front doors of Subiaco Oval.

He records both DVD and CD repertoire at his own recording studios in Maastricht in a wide range of classical music as well as popular and folk music plus music from well-known soundtracks and musical theatre. His lively orchestral presentations, in tandem with incessant marketing, have attracted worldwide audiences to this subgenre of classical music.

Some of his orchestra's performances have been broadcast in the United Kingdom and the United States on the PBS television network such as the 2003 airing of ''Andre Rieu Live in Dublin'', filmed in Dublin, Ireland, and 2005's ''André Rieu Live in Tuscany'' filmed in the Piazza Della Repubblica in the village of Cortona in Tuscany.

Reception

Rieu's recorded music and live performances have been a cause of controversy in the music and popular press. He has attracted criticism from the artistic director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Richard Tognetti, who called Rieu's music Schlagermusik, among other things.

Eamon Kelly writing in ''The Australian'' newspaper, in an article that discusses the controversy that Rieu engenders, said: "He depicts his critics as members of a stuffy musical elite with narrow aesthetic tastes, yet regularly demeans in interviews music that is not to his taste and classical musicians who choose not to perform in his manner."

Of Rieu's popularity and the debate in the media over criticism of him, Eamon Kelly says:

It is disappointing to see professional journalists indulging in cheap, inaccurate stereotypes to dismiss criticism of Rieu.

But he goes on to add:

Equally misguided are those who cursorily dismiss Rieu. Rieu's live and recorded performances have brought joy to millions of people. Few in his audiences are regular classical music attendees and it could be seen as promising that, via Rieu, they are listening to standards of the classical canon. The fact that Rieu's focus is on highly accessible, enjoyable repertoire is not an argument against his musical credentials.

Eamon Kelly further adds, after hearing the orchestra perform, that there is "no cause" for Rieu's boast his orchestra was "superior to the many other orchestras that specialise in ... Viennese and popular classical repertoire." Additionally, he found that in musical terms "the performance did not surpass playing standards in Australia's major symphony orchestras". He did add that the "oboist, Arthur Cordewener, provided the most impressive musical performance with a sublime introduction to an otherwise unremarkable performance of [Ravel's] ''Boléro''."

David Templeton, writing in the magazine ''All Things Strings'' says:

Ironically, it is Rieu’s own success that has earned him a horse-drawn carriage full of criticism, a pot-shot laden backlash aimed chiefly at the calculated emotionalism and theatrical flourishes of his performances, which, according to many, only cheapen the classical-music experience. Classical radio stations avoid his music as they might avoid a leper in the mall, though—let’s just say it plain and clear—Rieu is a superb violinist.

Chris Boyd, a critic writing for Melbourne's ''Herald Sun'' newspaper, finds that he could not give a general criticism of the playing of Rieu, as, except for "a clean and lyrical solo in ''Waltzing Matilda''", his main stage function was apparently "blarney and delegation". However, Boyd also comments that the quality of the artists that Rieu works with is "extraordinary". Boyd assesses the low points of the concert as the "Three Tenors-style" rendition of "Nessun dorma" which he finds was an "abomination", while saying the concert's highlights included "a sugar-shock sweet rendition" of "O mio babbino caro" as well as Strauss's ''Emperor Waltz'' and ''Blue Danube'', Clarke's ''Trumpet Voluntary'' and the ''Boléro''.

Personal life

He is married to Marjorie, who works with him full-time as production manager, and has two sons, Marc and Pierre. He speaks (in order of fluency) Dutch, English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.

Honours

Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (Netherlands, 2002)

Honorary Medal of the Province of Limburg (Netherlands, 2009)

Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France, 2009)

== Selected discography ==

''And the Waltz Goes On'' (2011)

''Moonlight Serenade'' (2011) – Australian Albums: No.17

''You Raise Me Up – Songs for Mum'' (2010) – Australian Albums: No.8

''Forever Vienna'' (2009) – UK: #2, IRE: No.4

''The Best of André Rieu'' (2009) – Australian Albums: No.23

''Masterpieces'' (2009) – Australian Albums: No.9

''You'll Never Walk Alone'' (2009) – Australian Albums: No.2

''Live in Australia'' (2008) – Australian Albums: No.14

''Waltzing Matilda'' (2008) – Australian Albums: No.1

''The 100 Most Beautiful Melodies'' (2008) – Australian Albums: No.2

''Live in Dresden: The Wedding at the Opera'' (2008)

''In Wonderland'' (2007)

''Live in Vienna'' (2007)

''Auf Schönbrunn'' (2006)

''New York Memories'' (2006)

''Songs from My Heart'' (2005)

''Christmas Around the World'' (2005)

''Live in Tuscany'' (2004)

''The Flying Dutchman'' (2004)

''New Year's Eve in Vienna'' (2003)

''André Rieu at the Movies'' (2003)

''Live in Dublin'' (2003)

''Romantic Paradise'' (2003)

''Maastricht Salon Orkest – Serenata'' (2003)

''Love Around the World'' (2002)

''Dreaming'' (2002)

''Live at the Royal Albert Hall'' (2001)

''Musik Zum Träumen'' (2001)

''La Vie Est Belle'' (2000)

''Fiesta!'' (1999)

''100 Years of Strauss'' (1999)

''Romantic Moments'' (1998)

''Waltzes'' (1998, re-edited in November 1999)

''The Christmas I Love'' (1997)

''The Vienna I Love'' (1997)

''In Concert'' (1996)

''Strauss gala'' (1995)

''D'n blauwen aovond'' (1995)

''Hieringe biete 1 & 2'' (1995)

''Strauss & Co'' (1994)

''Hieringe biete'' (1993)

''Merry Christmas'' (1992)

''Romeo and Juliet Love Theme''

References

External links

André Rieu (official website)

Official André Rieu Facebook page

André Rieu on Twitter

Official André Rieu YouTube Channel

André Rieu's Official Australian website

André Rieu (C Music TV Biography)

The Magic of Andre Rieu

Category:1949 births Category:Living people Category:Dutch classical violinists Category:Dutch conductors (music) Category:Maastricht Academy of Music alumni Category:People from Maastricht Category:People of Huguenot descent Category:Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Category:Dutch people of French descent

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