Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, and bring a light jacket or sweater. Families with older kids tend to enjoy the experience the most, especially if they’re interested in history or adventure. This area sits on the edge of Mount Saint Peter and vegas casino apk overlooks the city of Maastricht. Expect to walk through long dark tunnel systems, see detailed charcoal drawings, and hear stories about everything from Roman times to the Second World War. Over centuries, the quarries became a maze of passageways and were later used as shelters, storage spaces, and even hiding places during times of war. The tunnels include the North Caves (Grotten Noord), Fort Sint Pieter, limestone quarries, and even air raid shelters from World War II.
Rondleiding Grotten Noord
During World War II, as many as 780 art treasures were kept safe here. Caves North were used as a hiding place for Dutch most famous works of art. During World War II, the caves were also used differently.
On a guided tour, take a peek behind the steel doors and wander through the impressive underground corridors. Tour guides bring the caves to life with stories of smuggling, baking, secret armaments, and even underground churches. Maastricht Underground is a collection of underground tunnels, caves, and historic sites located beneath Sint Pietersberg in the southern Dutch city of Maastricht.
Guided Tour Zonneberg Caves
It’s a vital part of our continued growth in the UK and will house engineers working on products like Android, Wear OS, and Gemini. The Official Maastricht Guides are the storytellers of Explore Maastricht and Maastricht Underground, who build bridges between people, stories, eras, and locations. Hidden in the hills of southern Limburg lies this mysterious Cold War site, once a high-security headquarters.
You can choose from different types of guided experiences, including combinations with the fort, or special excursions into lesser-known parts of the tunnel system. Most tours start at Luikerweg 80, which is the main entrance for the Grotten Noord and near Fort Sint Pieter. A highlight for many visitors is the underground reproduction of Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, drawn directly onto the stone with charcoal. The underground experience in Maastricht is full of unexpected detail, strange stories, and quiet corners that stay with you long after your visit. Many of these images were drawn by people taking shelter in the caves during wartime, or by artists with a sense of humor and a lot of time on their hands.
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On a guided tour with an experienced guide, you walk past the many names and drawings in the walls, which come to life thanks to the guide’s stories. Maastricht Underground offers a wealth of underground tours that give you a unique insight into the city’s rich history and heritage. They share both the strategic role of the caves during wartime and the human side of life underground.
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North CavesThe Caves North are a kind of magical underground world filled with unique charcoal drawings, inscriptions and paintings. Below, we briefly explain the difference between the locations and what can be seen in the different caves Maastricht. Maastricht Underground offers a huge choice of underground adventure. Maastricht Underground is composed of the Caves of St Pietersberg hill, Caves former NATO Headquarters, Fort Sint Pieter, and the Casemates Maasstricht. Below, you can easily book your tour of the Maastricht Caves and more. You can visit Fort Sint Pieter, enjoy panoramic views over the Maas River, hike around the ENCI quarry, or grab a drink at a nearby Hotel Café Restaurant.
If you’re staying at our Bungalowpark ’t Eekhoornnest in Soest, this makes for an exciting day trip or a short overnight getaway. From the station, it’s about a 15-minute taxi or bus ride to the Maastricht Underground entrances. Even in summer, the tunnels stay cool with temperatures around 10 to 12 degrees Celsius (50 to 54 Fahrenheit).
It’s the kind of place that feels different depending on where you turn, who you’re with, and how much you’re willing to explore. Some spots even feature underground cellars that serve as dining rooms, giving you a second chance to enjoy the area’s love of subterranean spaces. For something quick and casual, Maastricht’s historic city center is only a short walk or bike ride away.
Caves of St Pietersberg hill (North Caves and Zonneberg caves)
The Caves of Sint Pietersberg hill house a treasure trove of history, art and adventure. This also ensures you get all the stories and historical context during your visit. The tour is suitable for most people, but keep in mind that the tunnels can be chilly, dark, and uneven in some places. Yes, it’s strongly recommended to book your tour online ahead of time, especially during weekends and holidays. Signs and walking paths are clearly marked, and tours are usually conducted in small groups. In the next section, I’ll answer the most common questions visitors have about Maastricht Underground so you can plan your visit with confidence.
Are you ready for an exciting adventure underground? The Maastricht Casemates consist, which consist out of a labyrinth of underground passages and vaults, are another highlight of Maastricht Underground. Vault and MuseumThe North Caves were used as a hiding place for the Netherlands’ most famous works of art. The advantage of visiting by scooter is that you can go deeper into the cave and discover even more!
- A highlight for many visitors is the underground reproduction of Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, drawn directly onto the stone with charcoal.
- On a guided tour with an experienced guide, you walk past the many names and drawings in the walls, which come to life thanks to the guide’s stories.
- Are you ready for an exciting adventure underground?
- You can choose from different types of guided experiences, including combinations with the fort, or special excursions into lesser-known parts of the tunnel system.
- If you’re the kind of traveler who loves to find something a little off the usual path, this is the section for you.
After you’ve seen the recreated version of The Night Watch and heard stories of World War II air raid shelters, ask your guide about the less-visited tunnels. While most visitors follow the main tour route, there are plenty of surprises tucked away beneath the surface and just outside the cave entrances. Our experienced guides bring the past to life with exciting stories about espionage, strategy and military secrets. Dive into history and visit the former NATO bunker in Maastricht. Fort Sint Pieter is an imposing fortification that towers high above the city. A highlight of the visit to Zonneberg Caves is the life-size replica of Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch”, an impressive creation that you can admire in this unique setting.
A Journey Through Dark Tunnels, Hidden Art, and Wartime Secrets
- It’s a vital part of our continued growth in the UK and will house engineers working on products like Android, Wear OS, and Gemini.
- Whether you’re in the mood for pancakes, Belgian fries, or a slice of fresh fruit tart, you’re covered.
- Try a regional beer like Weickse Rosé, or opt for something warm like Dutch mustard soup or a cheese sandwich made with Limburg goat cheese.
- Hidden in the hills of southern Limburg lies this mysterious Cold War site, once a high-security headquarters.
These military structures were once used to defend the city and are now open to curious visitors. In Caves North you can take a guided tour that takes you to the mysterious “Kluis” (vault). These tours can be booked and visited as separate locations. For your safety and the preservation of the underground artwork and mural inscriptions, guided access is the only option.
If you’re the kind of traveler who loves to find something a little off the usual path, this is the section for you. With stories of smuggling, air raid shelters, and even biblical frescoes, there’s something mysterious and fascinating around every corner. One of the most talked-about features is the underground version of Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, replicated in full size using charcoal. Over time, the caves transformed from Roman-era limestone quarries into shelters, storerooms, hideouts, and even a strategic command center during World War II. Somewhere dark, mysterious, and full of stories that stretch across centuries.
You’ll hear how locals used the tunnels to escape danger, hold secret meetings, and even create art. This incredible tribute is just one of many pieces of underground artwork that help turn this dark tunnel system into a magical underground museum. These underground tunnels once served as quarries for marl, a soft yellowish limestone used in many of Maastricht’s buildings. Start with a visit to the North Caves (Grotten Noord) beneath Mount Saint Peter (Sint Pietersberg). If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a place that feels equal parts history lesson and secret adventure, this is it. Our 33-acre site in Waltham Cross will bring compute capacity to businesses, supporting AI innovation and providing reliable digital services to Google users in the UK and abroad.
Some tours also include stops at the ENCI open-cast mine, an impressive modern-day quarry carved into the hills of Mount Saint Peter. Before you leave, check if there are guided excursions that combine the North Caves with a visit to Fort Sint Pieter. Whether you’re in the mood for pancakes, Belgian fries, or a slice of fresh fruit tart, you’re covered.
