Four day trip to the Netherlands (Day 1 morning) - Maastricht - Saint Servatius Basilica (cont.), the Markt place and Saint Mathias church - The 14th of May 2015

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By walking around the Basilica, whose name is associated to the Armenian missionary we reached its North entrance located on the Kaizer Karelplein, where a brass band parade was also heading to. We soon followed them up to the main church door where another ceremony was being held which we didn't have access to and consequently the Basilica's interior as well. 

 

 

Sculpture of the Virgin Mary at Saint Servatius ' cloister

The Basilica's entrance was adorned with multiple sculpted figures. The one representing Jesus was placed at the centre with those of Peter and Saint Servatius on the side. The arches held the 12 apostles who were leaning on the four great prophets from the old Testament - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. We were not allowed to see much more, which I felt was a pity really.

The Chapter's insignia (left)

Saint Servatius sculpture on the Kaizer Karelplein square

Just across the fountain with the sculpture of Saint Servatius stood an old Post building, where we turned into the Grote Graat Street leading to the main Markt Square we had been told was holding a street fair.

 

 

 

A statue representing Jan Pieter Minckeleers, a famous Dutch scientist who invented gas lighting (right).




We spent about an hour looking around and stopping at various stalls before we made our way slightly to the left into the Bosh street so as to visit Saint Mathias  church, which was open to the public once the late morning mess had just finished.

 

Sculpture of Saint Anthony of Padua (left).

We were not given much time to look at the interior of that particular Roman Catholic church, which is said to have been built during the course of the 14th to 16th centuries in Gothic style and using local stone. Among the various noteworthy objects  an 18th century Baptismal font a Mary Magdalena Statue by Jan van Steffesweil, a 15th century Pieta and stained glass windows designed and created by Charles Eyck.

We left just in time to have something to eat before having decided where to go next. The fact that we hadn't located the Tourist office yet and had no map to guide us through the city centre streets made life difficult for us particularly because we had decided to further explore the city and see as much as we felt could be possible.