Maastricht, capital of the province of Limburg, lying on both banks of the Maas, has many attractions to offer visitors, especially historic buildings and art treasures. It owes its present importance to its strategic situation in the Dutch-Belgian-German frontier region between the industrial areas of Aachen, Liège, Kempen and Limburg: a factor
which has become of increasing importance since the establishment of the European Community. In addition to its cultural functions, reflected in its numerous educational establishments, Maastricht is a major commercial center, the chief town in an extensive surrounding area reaching across the Dutch frontier into Belgium. Its wholesale markets, particularly in vegetables and butter, are attracting increasing numbers of foreign buyers. Industry also plays a considerable part in the town's economy, the most important branches apart from the giant DSM (Dutch State Mines) chemical works being paper-making, leather-working, printing, ceramics, cement and glass. The tourist trade also makes a significant contribution to the economy.
The Roman settlement of Traiectum ad Mosam or Traiectum Tungrorum, situated - as the name indicates - at an important crossing-point on the Maas where two military roads met, was founded about 50 B.C., and is thus one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands. The town was fortified in the third century A.D., and in 382 the episcopal see of Tongeren (Tongres) was transferred to Maastricht, which occupied a central situation in the kingdom of the Merovingians and Carolingians. In 722, however, the see was moved from Maastricht to Liège. Around 1202 the town passed into the hands of the Dukes of Brabant, who ruled it, along with the Prince-Bishops of Liège, until the end of the 18th century. In the 14th century the town was surrounded by fortifications, which in later centuries were regularly strengthened. The bridge over the Maas made Maastricht a place of strategic importance from the earliest times, and over the centuries it withstood more than 20 sieges. From 1621 it was one of the most important fortresses during the Dutch struggle with the Spaniards. The establishment of the kingdom of Belgium in 1830 considerably hampered its economic development, since it was now cut off from much of its hinterland and occupied a peripheral situation in the Netherlands. Around 1867 the fortifications began to be dismantled and demolished. Since the signing of the "Maastricht Treaty" in 1992 the town has become the symbol of the European Union. The Summit Meeting of the 12 member states was held in Linberg House.
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