unyielding moisture the wall against enemy and fire, until it
feverishly bulging succumbed, stones rolled like heads
its belly truly proved to be a root water cracker
and opened five centuries to freeze time again

- Maarten van den Berg -  

500 years of hidden history 

After the collapse of the historical city wall on the late evening of March 23, 2019, the principles for its reconstruction and restoration quickly became clear: structural safety, sustainable maintenance, and maximum preservation of the existing cultural-historical values. These principles have led to a magnificent result, thanks in part to good cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE), the Aesthetics and Monuments Commission (WMC), our fortress partners (including the Menno van Coehoorn Foundation and Maastricht Fortress City), and not to forget the team of builders and advisors. Alderman Cultural Heritage, Frans Bastiaens: Together with our partners, a preferred scenario for the restoration of the City Wall was developed, in which it was decided to excavate and lower part of the earthen wall. In this way, the 16th-century walkway was freed again. This walkway, on the inside of the fortress wall, once served as a defense element. 

The partial excavation not only led to a reduction in the pressure of the soil package on the curtain wall but also to insight into the historical periods that were locally present. This insight would later play an important role in the vision formation for the overall area of the fortress works in the city park.  

Roundel Vief Köp

During the investigation into the collapsed city wall, it became clear in the summer of 2020 that the bulging at the roundel Vief Köp had become unacceptable. To prevent the roundel from collapsing as well, it was decided to excavate the ground behind the fortification, which had been laid down 500 years ago. Based on the principles of care and efficiency, the restoration work of the city wall and the roundel was tendered simultaneously, allowing their execution to be optimally coordinated. 

The investigations and excavations constructed a story about the construction and functioning of the roundel over the centuries. The roundel also contains unique elements for the fortress history in the Netherlands. The roundel is once again accessible and experienceable, explains Alderman Frans Bastiaens. Through workshop sessions with the main partners, a beautiful design plan for the roundel was ultimately developed. This allows visitors to walk over the walkway, look through the shooting holes, and view the discovered remains in the roundel. From the top of the roundel, visitors can enjoy a beautiful view over the city park. A virtual insight is possible via the video animation. 

Fortress City Maastricht

Maastricht, as a Fortress City, still has many hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. During the preparatory work on the city wall, a number of surprises emerged. For example, the foundation remains of a former guardhouse were discovered, a passage was found in the wall of the roundel, and more has become known about the former access to the roundel, where the underground casemate now connects. 

The reconstruction and restoration of the City Wall and the Roundel, which was truly a feat, would not have been possible without the trust of the Aesthetics and Monuments Commission (WMC), the RCE, and fortress partners. Alderman Frans Bastiaens: In addition to our heritage partners, I express my gratitude and respect for the craftsmanship that the Construction Combination Koninklijke Woudenberg – Laudy has demonstrated with this project.

Architect Jos Nijssen: What started as a design task for the repair of the breach grew into a challenging project – like an exciting boys book! The bar was set high, and we are proud that we, together with all involved, have achieved this beautiful end result. Five centuries of history have once again been made experienceable and accessible for the residents and visitors of Maastricht.

The actual investment costs for the entire project will amount to 10.1 million euros, of which 400,000 euros will be subsidized by the Province. The remaining costs have been borne by the municipality itself from the municipal Multi-Year Investment Plan (MIJP) Fortress Works. In the relatively short term, a new MJIP Fortress Works will be submitted to the municipal council of Maastricht to implement future restorations to Fortress Works, particularly the Frontenpark and the underground tunnel system. 

Opening Weekend

After the overwhelming success of the previous open days, the municipality of Maastricht and the Construction Combination will officially open the City Wall and the Roundel on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the residents of Maastricht and the general public. Everyone is welcome to come and admire the completed restoration works and 500 years of history with their own eyes.

The people of Maastricht have had to show a lot of patience in this project. The collapse has given us a unique opportunity to make the construction, historical significance, and cultural-historical values present at the site visible and accessible, says Frans Bastiaens. The knowledge about our fortress history has become richer, and with the completed restoration, a new chapter has been added to the story of Fortress City Maastricht, concludes project leader Ron Werné.

Finally, the restoration works on the City Wall and the Roundel will be immortalized in a book. This book will be published in the series Vierkant Maastricht by the Historical Series Foundation Maastricht (SHRM) and is expected to be presented in the summer of 2025.

The project can be relived phase by phase on the website Restauratie Limburg.