Former Reformed Orphanage

Former Reformed Orphanage

The Protestant Orphanage was founded in 1639 by the first Reverend of Maastricht Philip Ludovicus, five years after the conquest of Maastricht by Prince Frederik Hendrik. The orphanage was still housed in the former Franciscan monastery in St. Pieterstraat. In 1690 a new orphanage was founded near the Lenculenpoort: two detached buildings from the mid-17th century, were connected by an intermediate construction. The entire complex is built in the style of the Maasland Renaissance.

Today it houses the Theatre Academy Maastricht.

See: rijksmonumenten

Water gate in city wall

The city wall

Duke Hendrik 1 of Brabant, ruler who lived in Leuven, Belgium, granted Maastricht the right to build a city wall. The wall was about 2500 meter long. Large parts of this wall can still be seen in the center of Maastricht. Before the city wall was realized, Maastricht was protected by an earth rampart surrounded by a moat. There was an increasing need by the civilian population to protect the city better against enemy armies. The urban sector outside the city walls had grown strongly in two strong centers of business. The tanners (leather workers) along the banks of the Jeker and sheet weavers at the Boschpoort.

In the wall at the Looiersgracht are arches, pillars and a water gate.

See: fotosmaastricht