About the Maastricht, Netherlands Program
The Maastricht program is a USAC partnership program. Learn more about on-site program elements and the city itself below.
About Maastricht
- Distance from Amsterdam: 130 miles
- Distance from Paris: 250 miles
Maastricht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, widely known for its picturesque architecture and vibrant cultural scene. The history of the town dates back to the first century A.D., when a Roman settlement was initially established on the site. During the Middle Ages, the city played a key role in the region’s economic, political, and religious development, and it became one of the country’s most vital industrial cities during the 19th century. These layers of history are still evident throughout the city, which boasts medieval town ramparts, cobblestone alleys and streets, seventeenth-century facades, repurposed factory buildings, and a Roman bridge. More recently, Maastricht served as the site where European leaders assembled to sign the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, which established the European Union and initiated the process of European integration that continues to this day.
As the capital and largest city of the Limburg province, Maastricht has everything a student could wish for: a historic city center; countless sidewalk cafés, pubs, and restaurants; sports facilities; shops; and several film, music, and theatre venues. Popular attractions include Fort St Pieter, Boekhandel Dominicanen (a 13th century Gothic cathedral repurposed into a bookstore), Market Square, Bonnefanten art museum, the Basilicas of Our Lady and of St. Servatius, a town museum, the iconic water wheel of De Bisschopsmolen, and a series of underground caves and tunnels.
Students can also get outside the city and experience the Dutch countryside by taking leisurely walks or by biking through the low green hills surrounding Maastricht. The city is also well-connected to several major European cities by regular bus and train service.