South Limburg Attractions
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Limburg is the most southerly of the Dutch provinces. In South Limburg (Zuid-Limburg), at Vaals, is the Drielandenpunt ("Three Countries Point") where the frontiers of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany meet.
Maastricht, Netherlands
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River Maas (Meuse)
The Maas (in French Meuse) rises on the Langres plateau in France at a height of 456m/1,496ft above sea level and flows through French territory for 450km/280mi and through Belgium for 192km/119mi before reaching the Netherlands. For part of its course between Liège and Maastricht it forms the frontier between Belgium and the Netherlands. South of Nijmegen it turns west and flows parallel with the Waal, the southern arm of the Rhine - sometimes linking up with it - for 260km/160mi before reaching the Biesbosch in the delta area and flowing into the Hollands Diep.Plans were developed from an early stage for improving the navigability of the Maas throughout the year. In 1904 it was diverted from Woudrichem to Geertruidenberg, where the water level at ebb tide was lower. Various bends were straightened and considerable stretches of the river were canalized. The Julianakanaal, a lateral canal between Maastricht and Maasbracht opened in 1935, has been of great benefit to the Limburg industrial region; it lies higher than the surrounding country and gives the impression that ships on the canal are sailing on land.
Heerlen, Netherlands
Heerlen lies east of Maastricht, close to the German frontier. In the time of Augustus the site was occupied by a Roman trading station called Coriovallum, situated at the intersection of two military roads. The European edition of the "Wall Street Journal" is published here, as well as a number of Dutch periodicals.The city is home to the Glass Palace, a landmark building designed by well-known architect Frits Peutz. There are other notable buildings including a 12th century church and former prison tower.
Baths Museum
The Museum Thermen (Baths Museum) displays the remains of Roman baths dating from the A.D. first century.
St Pancratiuskerk
St Pancratiuskerk, a Romanesque pillared basilica, shows both 12th and 14th century work. Over the choir is the square Rogues' Tower (12th C.), a relic of the old stronghold of Herle.
Geological Museum
The Geological Museum at Voskuilenweg 131, run by the National Geological Service, has a large collection of fossils found in the mines of southern Limburg.
Castles
To the west of Heerlen is Voerendaal, around which were formerly numerous castles and country houses. Particularly notable is the 15th century Kasteel Cortenbach, which is still surrounded by its medieval moat.
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