Sightseeing in Limburg - what to see. Complete travel guide

Limburg is situated in the southeastern part of the Netherlands. Several centuries ago, Limburg was an independent county, large industrial and commercial area. Its capital was the city of the same name, which later moved to Belgium. At present, half of that medieval province is located on the territory of Belgium and the other half - in the Netherlands. The center of the region is the picturesque city of Maastricht.

The province has well-developed tourist infrastructure; travelers are offered a variety of sightseeing tours, most of which take place in the metropolitan area. Perhaps the oldest historical landmark of Maastricht is the bridge over the river Maas built in the late 13th century. Nearby is the old courthouse and the city hall in Baroque style; these buildings were built at the turn of the 15-16th centuries. There are many mansions in the city; the most beautiful buildings are erected in the Renaissance style. Those fond of will enjoy visiting the ruins of bastions and fortification gates constructed in the early 13th century. Most fortifications were destroyed in the late 17th century; only several old buildings have survived to these days.

Among religious sites, the Church of San Servacio is notable; it is the oldest basilica in the Netherlands, which was founded in the 6th century. The building, which can be seen today, was built in the 11th - 12th centuries. Connoisseurs of architecture say that it features Roman style. No less remarkable is the Church of St. John adorned with the 75-meter-high bell tower. The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary houses a priceless artifact - an old crypt, whose age is more than 1000 years. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Not far from Maastricht there is Sint-Petersburg. In ancient times it has being a major center of marlstone mining. Today, its main attractions are tunnels made by miners. Their total length is more than 320 km. This place has played an important role during the war, as locals hid in its underground their cattle, provisions and ammunition. Limburg features numerous interesting towns and picturesque villages that would appeal to adherents of ecological tourism.

The province of Limburg is famous for its wonderful castles. The medieval Limbricht Castle has a very interesting history. It was built in the first half of the 13th century and was used to protect the nearby territory. In the late 16th century, the castle was occupied by Napoleon’s army. In this period, the fortress was rebuilt into a hospital. Then, the old castle belonged to German soldiers. The old castle is reconstructed completely. It serves as a hotel and a restaurant now.

The striking historical monument of the beginning of the 17th century is the Nederhoven Castle. Originally, it was a hunting lodge for one of the noble families. For the years of its existence, this castle has managed to preserve the fragments of the original interior decorations and the beautiful old garden surrounding the castle. Nowadays, this historical castle serves as a hotel. Fans of hiking tours and cycling really like vacationing here.

The Millen Castle has been partially preserved to this day and still attracts many travelers. The first defensive construction was built at the site of the castle in 1287. For hundreds of years of its existence, the castle took part in many battles, was destroyed and rebuilt many times. Only some part of the walls of this magnificent castle has survived to this day. In a warm period, it is always hidden in lush green vegetation. The castle is located on the territory of the picturesque village of Neustadt where several interesting medieval constructions have been preserved.

In the late 18th century, the Obbicht Castle was built. Now, it is one of the most beautiful castles in the region. The first defensive construction at its site was built in the early Middle Ages. The present castle in style of Louis XVI was built on its ruins. In 1954, the historical construction was damaged significantly in a fire. The castle was reconstructed completely only in 1988.

One of the oldest castles in Limburg is Wijlre. The exact date of its construction is not known. The first written references to the castle date back to 1014. Nothing has been preserved from the first building. Today, the visitors can see the castle reconstructed in the 17th century. Now, the castle serves as a historical museum. You can take an excursion around the entire building.