Maastricht
Interactive experiences
Maastricht makes for Terra Mosana three interactive experiences! The first one is based on the Maastricht townhall (partly 3D-digitized) which is situated on the Market square. The second one on the eighteenth century model of the town and its surroundings in 1748. The third one on its underground gallery system, part of the outer defense line of the strategic city on the banks of the Meuse.
Townhall 1664
The Maastricht townhall was built between in 1662 and 1664, designed by Pieter Post. It replaced the older townhall in the former city centre and was built on a newly created square, for which the former city wall had to be demolished. The townhall is an example of eclecticism. The building itself is seventeenth century ‘Dutch classicism’; that means it does not fit in the regular Meuse-Regio-architecture, like buildings in Liège or Namur, but it has a sober, northern Dutch style. The interior on the other hand is filled with Flemish wall-tapestry, Italian stucco-works, gilded leather wall-‘paper’ painted with ‘chinoiseries’, expensive furniture and elaborate decorations, mainly dating from the early eighteenth century (Régence-style).
In this townhall the two-dominion-system flourished: a ‘double’ government of the prince-bishop of Liège and of the States of Holland at the same time. This existed until the French overtook the town and made it the capital of the region of the lower Meuse in 1795. For more than 350 years, up until today, the city-government worked in this majestic building, as well as it housed the local police, the fire-arms materials (leather buckets), the food-balances and also justice was spoken. In the cellars some of the original jails are still present. Recently the townhall was completely restored and imperceptibly adjusted to modern standards.
Through a triptych (a book, a film and a virtual tour) this building can be visited, also in places where regular tourists never are allowed to come. Even when the building is closed! The tour and film (ca. 15 minutes) are free of costs and available in four languages on the internet. The book is available in the bookshops (“Een magnifiek stadhuis”, Dutch, with a English section; ISBN 978-90-5842-054-1).
Virtual tour Maastricht City Hall
Model Maastricht 1748
After the capture of Maastricht in 1748, the military rapidly drew down a detailed map of the town and of its outer defense system, and a model in the scale of 1:600 was made. This model was brought to The Louvre in Paris and was a playfull instrument for the French King Louis XV and his staff. It is now in Lille. This model was 3D-digitised in 2017 and ín this model four storylines on the period of 1748-1800 are being told. Curious? Visit Centre Ceramique, learn and enjoy.
Underground galleries 1794
After a French attack in 1794 Maastricht was part of the French Empire. The elaborate outer defense system was enlarged and the existing underground gallery system expanded to 11 kilometer in length. Almost 100% of this gallery system still exists and is open to public (under escort). In 2019 it was 3D-scanned with millimeter-accuracy. The galleries were used by soldiers, who defended the town against attackers. It must have been scary sometimes. People who visited these galleries when the lights are turned off, know why …
The exhibition takes place from mid October 2021 at the Centre Céramique. Check here for details and opening hours.
The physical interactive experience ( Maastricht model 1748 ) is located at the Centre Céramique, at the 4th floor and is available at the same time.