City Library

This is the city library and an exhibition space for archaeological finds and Maastricht pottery.

Museum aan het Vrijthof is a young museum located at the heart of the city in one of the oldest buildings in Maastricht: the former retreat of Charles V. This private museum organises a temporary exhibition three to four times each year. They look for surprising combinations and unconventional collaborations. The museum also has a freely accessible museum café, located at the covered courtyard.

The museum is the foremost museum of Old Masters and contemporary art in the province of Limburg. The contemporary art collection contains works by an international group of artists, including Sol LeWitt. In addition to contemporary paintings, the collection also includes projections and gallery-sized installations. The collection of Old Masters emphasises 16th- and 17th-century Flemish paintings, including major works by Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens. In addition, the collection comprises magnificent medieval sculptures by Jan van Steffenswert, early Italian paintings and a presentation of Maastricht silver.

South of the town centre, the wall includes the Helpoort (Hell's Gate), the oldest city gate in the Netherlands.

Commonly known as the Star of the Sea, after an old title for the Virgin Mary, this Romanesque church was largely built in the 11th and 12th century. Although no archaeological research has been carried out, historians believe earlier churches stood on the same spot before. Large parts of the church treasures were lost when the city became part of the First French Republic. The church was then used as a blacksmith workshop by the military, and the cloister area served as stables. The basilica's two narrow towers, topped with marlstone turrets, make it an important landmark for Maastricht and the charming little chapel is a popular place with both locals and tourists to light a candle. Inside, the miraculous statue of Our Lady, Star of the Sea is perhaps the main attraction.

Before the restoration of the Derlon Hotel started, Maastricht's city archeologists undertook an extensive survey of the site. The Roman finds, from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th century, are considered that important that it was decided to conserve them and exhibit these to interested parties. The following can be seen in the cellar of Derlon Hotel: part of a 2nd and 3rd century sanctuary (including a Jupiter column), a 3rd century well, part of a pre- Roman cobblestone road and sections of a wall and a gate dating from the 4th century.