Maastricht - Church of Our Lady

(Local Name: Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk) On the east side of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwenplein stands Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk, the Church of Our Lady. Of the original church built about the year 1000 only the lower part of the west work survives. Around 1150 the building of the west work, the crypts and the transepts began; the east choir was built about 1200, followed by the gallery over the ambulatory and in the 16th century by the northwest doorway. The fortress-like character of the Romanesque west work with its two stair turrets recalls the church's former function as an element in the town's fortifications; in its monumental simplicity it is unique in the Netherlands. The Late Gothic choir with its large crypt is a particularly notable feature of the interior. The capitals of the black columns in the ambulatory (12th C.) are richly carved. The side chapel containing the image of Onze Lieve Vrouwe Sterre der Zee (Our Lady Star of the Sea) dates from the 15th century, as does the rebuilding of the northwest doorway.

The vaulting of the nave, though in 15th century style, dates only from the 18th century. Other features of interest are the west crypt, which belonged to the earlier church, the church treasury, the beautiful 16th century cloister and the west tower.