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After a lovely breakfast that included home-made bread we did a walking circuit around old Maastricht, taking in the St Servaas medieval bridge (reserved for pedestrians), Grote Markt, Stadhuis, Vrijthof and ending at the Roman Catholic St Servaas Cathedral and the Protestant St. John's next door to it. Both churches were busy with Sunday worshippers but the difference in their demeanor was remarkable; the protestants were having a post-service cup of coffee and a chat while their children played an exciting game of hide-and-seek in the nooks and crannies of the huge church while the catholics stood for the bishop and dignitarys' entry in solemn procession. The day in Maastricht was delightful, full of small discoveries such as the town walls and the recently-constructed high-level pedestrian and cycle bridge which is equipped both with a lift at each end and steps with channels to wheel bikes - and of course both are these are used all the time.
The Bonnefanten is a recently-built art museum with an impressive modern design (by Aldo Rossi) with an amazing wide staircase and excellent light in all the rooms. We were impressed by the collection of 13-15th century sculptures in marble and painted wood and big collection of Flemish paintings including a whole room of Peter Breugel.
We filled the rest of the day by reading in Ellen's peaceful and luxuriant garden and a making a visit with her to a club cinema near the Vrijthof.
Warm and dry weather all day, supper outside at 9 pm!
Click to view enlarged photos:
 Maastricht: Stadhuis |
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 St Servaas Cathedral |
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 Cathedral treasures |
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 This ancient flour mill still runs and sells excellent bread made in-house. |
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 On the bridge over the Maas for cycles and pedestrians |
 The Bonnefanten staircase |
 Fietspad = cycle track, brommen and snorren are types of motorbike excluded here. |
 Our room at Country in the City B&B |
 The garden at Country in the City B&B |