Wilhelminabrug and St. Servaasbrug Bridges

Maastricht grew up at a crossing of the Maas, and its name says so: it comes from the Latin Mosae Traiectum, the crossing of the Maas, which referred to a Roman bridge on the site. Two bridges now carry that tradition, the Sint Servaasbrug in the old centre and the Wilhelminabrug a little downstream, and they are both worth seeing, partly because they are so different in age and character. A walk across either one gives views of the river, the church towers and the lively streets of both banks.

The Sint Servaasbrug is the older and the more famous. It is named after Saint Servatius, the fourth century bishop who is considered the first bishop of Maastricht and whose tomb lies in the basilica nearby. The bridge in its present form dates back to the late thirteenth century, with construction recorded between 1280 and 1298, and it is regarded as one of the oldest bridges in the Netherlands. It is built of local limestone, with a series of arches and piers that were shaped to cope with the river's current. The bridge was damaged during the Second World War, when retreating German forces blew up parts of it in 1944, and it was rebuilt afterwards, with a modern section at one end that allows ships to pass. Today it is open to pedestrians and cyclists only.

The Wilhelminabrug is a different kind of structure. Built in the early 1930s, in the style of the period, it is a steel bridge named after Queen Wilhelmina, and it carries road traffic as well as pedestrians. Its clean lines and its position at the edge of the old centre make it a favourite viewpoint for photographs of the riverfront and the skyline. It is a convenient point from which to begin a walk through the city along the Maas.

Both bridges link the old centre of Maastricht with Wyck, the lively district on the east bank, with its restaurants, cafes and small shops. The bridges are free to use at all hours. Other sights within a short walk include the Basilica of Our Lady, the Basilica of Saint Servatius with its treasury, the Bonnefanten Museum, with its striking building and modern art collection, and Fort Sint Pieter with the caves of Maastricht, a network of old limestone quarries.

The bridges suit walkers, cyclists, photographers and those interested in the history of the city. They are best seen in the evening, when the river is lit, and a stroll over both takes less than an hour.