Art Travel Guide

Focus on Maastricht

Maastricht is a small, ancient city in the Netherlands, nestled in a sliver of land in the southeastern part of the country between Belgium and Germany. Founded as a Roman trading post in the first century B.C., Maastricht has been closely involved in the evolution of European language, religion, trade, and nationhood.

Getting to Maastricht is quite easy, with simple connections through Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Brussels, and Paris. Maastricht's location, charm, and transnational character lend themselves perfectly to the historical and international scope of The European Fine Art Fair.

Thomas Hart
Managing Director — Art Travel Guide

The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF)
Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre (MECC)
Maastricht, The Netherlands
March 9 – 18, 2007

Maastricht is one of the oldest European art fairs. Founded in 1975 as the "Pictura Fine Art Fair," the early editions of the fair mainly featured antiques and the work of the Old Masters. As the scope of the art market has changed during the last two decades, Maastricht has adapted, and now features a larger number of modern and contemporary art dealers within the show.

TEFAF is known for its rigorous vetting and authentication process. Before the show opens to the public, all works are evaluated for provenance, quality, and authenticity by experts from every imaginable specialty. Any item that is questionable in any way is removed from the exhibition.

The guarantee of such high-quality material, the grand presentation of artwork, and the participation of the world's preeminent antiques and art dealers from around the world provide an experience unparalleled in the art fair calendar.

Must-See Museums

Bonnefanten Museum
Avenue Céramique 250
NL-6201 BS Maastricht
+31 (0) 43 329 01 90

Rijksmuseum in Maastricht – Flemish Splendour of the 16th and 17th Centuries
March 2, 2004 – 2008

This exhibition of more than 50 paintings from the Rijksmuseum collection focuses on the apex of the Flemish school. Works on exhibit include those by Rubens, Van Dyck, Brueghel, and other masters from the period.

The Bonnefanten also has a growing permanent contemporary art collection with works by Lily van der Stokker, Luc Tuymans, Gary Hume, and many others.

A Room with A View

Kruisherenhotel Maastricht
Kruisherengang 19-23
6211 NW Maastricht
+31 (0) 43 329 20 20

One of the most interesting and elegant hotels in Maastricht is the Kruisherenhotel. This five-star hotel is situated in a 15th-century abbey and attached Gothic church. The atmosphere provides a graceful fusion of contemporary design with historic medieval architecture. Each of the 60 luxurious guest rooms has its own fashionable and individual design and character.

Artful Dining

Restaurant Beluga
Centre Céramique
Plein 1992 – Nr. 12
6221 Maastricht
+31 (0) 43 321 33 64

Located on the banks of the Meuse river (from which Maastricht gets its name), Beluga is possibly the best restaurant in the city. Chef Hans van Wolde is ranked as one of the top chefs in the Netherlands for his inventive French-inspired cuisine. Beluga is housed in a beautiful contemporary building and has a clean, inviting atmosphere. You'll enjoy a truly world-class dining experience here.