Historical Background
The first inhabitants of what is now called "The Netherlands" were bands of hunter-gatherers, who lived in Limburg (the most southern province of The Netherlands) some 250,000 years ago. During the Neolithic Age (5300 BC) farmers settled on the soils of Beek, Elsloo, Geleen and Sittard in the Western Mining District. In the first century BC the Romans conquered South Limburg, building Traiectum ad Mosam (Maastricht, the oldest city of the Netherlands) around 50 BC and Coriovallum (Heerlen). Trajectum ad Mosam means the crossing over the river Maas. The bridge of Maastricht (nowadays called St. Servaas-bridge) formed a vital link in the Roman communication route from Gaul (France) to Germany built under Emperor Augustus (27 BC- 14 AD). Therefore, two camps on each side of the Maas guarded it. The main camp was situated in the area of the city center. The smaller camp on the other side of the Maas developed into the area called 'Wyck'.
With the rise of Christianity in the 4th century, Maastricht became a cathedral city. The first bishop St. Servaas also founded the first church, on the site where the Onze Lieve Vrouwe-church stands today. You can still find his name in our city: St. Servaas Bridge, St. Servaas Basilica etc. After St. Servaas, many other bishops ruled in Maastricht. In the beginning of the 8th century Maastricht not only had a religious and cultural function: it was also an important center of commerce. During those days, the bridge in Maastricht was the last crossing point of the river before it flowed into the sea. This (in fact) made Maastricht an inland port. Around 1220 Maastricht obtained the privilege of township and was ruled by two lords, the Prince Bishop of Liège and the Duke of Brabant. Rivalry between the two men led to the
decision to build defensive walls around Maastricht.
During the Middle Ages, Maastricht developed itself as an important center. Two old Roman churches were enlarged and many new Gothic churches were built such as the St. Jan, the Dominikanen and the Minderbroeders church. It was a flourishing time that attracted many sculptors, wood carvers, painters and craftsmen working in gold, silver and ivory. The city reached a peak of prosperity in the early 16th century. During the Eighty Years' War with Spain, Maastricht played an important role. From that time on, the city was an important fortress with a strategic location. In 1576 Maastricht rose against the Spanish but the rebellion was brutally crushed. The city remained in Spanish hands until it was recaptured by Frederik Hendrik in 1632. His victory brought a certain degree of stability and introduced a new era of religious tolerance. Protestants and Catholics could now coexist in some sort of harmony. After the Napoleonic Wars, the allies set to work to redraw the map of Europe. The solution they came up with for the Netherlands was to build a new united state combining Belgium and Holland to form a strong buffer to the north of France. This union did not last long. In 1830 the Belgians rose against the monarch and government of the north and declared their independence. Geographically Maastricht should have become a part of Belgium, but the garrison under General Dibbets remained loyal to the house of Orange. And in 1839, to the discontent of the Belgians, the province of Limburg was partitioned with Maastricht remaining in Dutch hands.
The early 19th century was a difficult period for Maastricht, once again trying to pick up the pieces after foreign occupation. The first signs of the industrial revolution showed when Petrus Regout started his business career in pottery works, in which he made his fortune. Others followed his example and Maastricht became the Netherlands' first industrial city, with flourishing ceramic works and paper mills.
In the twentieth century, South Limburg became increasingly international in outlook. South Limburg is located in an area known since 1976 as the Euregio Maas-Rijn or Meuse- Rhine Euregion. This region consists of the Dutch province of Limburg in which Maastricht is situated, the Belgian provinces of Limburg (Limbourg) and Luik (Liège), the Belgian Ostkantons (German-speaking regions), and the Aachen region of Germany. The Euregion is known for its natural beauty. Luik is the largest Belgian city in the Euregion. It is a lively university town offering plenty of entertainment only half an hour's drive from Maastricht. In geological terms, South Limburg is the oldest part of the Netherlands. In a topographical sense South Limburg is quite separate from the rest of the country. The rolling hills contrast with the flatness of the rest of the country.
The inhabitants of South Limburg today do not consider themselves Dutch, but prefer to identify with their region of birth. For most South Limburgers (inhabitants of South Limburg), Dutch is their second language. Limburgs, the official regional language since 1997, is made up of widely varying dialects, which are not always understood outside their locality. However, all South Limburgers understand Dutch and many speak German and some English as well.
