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.

Guided Tour North Caves

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!

What can I expect to see during the tour?

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.

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.

Locations

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.

Hidden Artwork, Quiet Corners, and Great Food Near Maastricht Underground

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.

Caves of St Pietersberg hill (North Caves and Zonneberg caves)

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.

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.

Rondleiding Grotten Noord

  • 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.
  • From the station, it’s about a 15-minute taxi or bus ride to the Maastricht Underground entrances.
  • On a guided tour, take a peek behind the steel doors and wander through the impressive underground corridors.
  • With stories of smuggling, air raid shelters, and even biblical frescoes, there’s something mysterious and fascinating around every corner.
  • This area sits on the edge of Mount Saint Peter and overlooks the city of Maastricht.

You’ll hear how locals used the tunnels to escape danger, hold vegas casino apk 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.

  • For your safety and the preservation of the underground artwork and mural inscriptions, guided access is the only option.
  • After you emerge from the cool darkness of the caves, you’ll find several charming spots nearby to relax and recharge.
  • Somewhere dark, mysterious, and full of stories that stretch across centuries.
  • These tours can be booked and visited as separate locations.
  • While most visitors follow the main tour route, there are plenty of surprises tucked away beneath the surface and just outside the cave entrances.

Guided Tour Zonneberg Caves

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. After you emerge from the cool darkness of the caves, you’ll find several charming spots nearby to relax and recharge. One highlight is a small side tunnel known as De Kluis, which some believe once served as a kind of underground chapel or underground church. Some smaller routes contain hidden charcoal drawings of fairy tale scenes like Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk, and even an underground version of Romeo and Juliet.

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.

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.

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 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.

Also Included In

Visitors explore these spaces on guided tours that reveal everything from Roman inscriptions to underground art and wartime secrets. Here you can be part of a fascinating guided tour and immerse yourself in the story of the fortifications and the historical events these corridors witnessed. Originally built to protect Maastricht from enemy raids, this fortress now offers visitors the chance to discover the history of the fort and the city. At Zonneberg Caves, you have the option of choosing a guided tour with or without a visit to an underground Museum.

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.