What are the Casemates in Maastricht?
The Casemates (Kazematten), also known as casemate corridors, are an underground network of corridors and tunnels running under the city of Maastricht. They originally served as defences and military stores and have been of great strategic importance throughout history. The tunnels were used by soldiers during sieges of the city to 'surprise' the enemy underground.
Unique in the Netherlands
This underground corridor system in Maastricht is so extensive that it is unique in the Netherlands. Due to groundwater, this is not possible in other places in the Netherlands. It is also unique because the Maastricht Casemates not only served as an air-raid shelter, but also because this is the only place in the Netherlands where war was actually fought underground. Both functions have left the necessary impressive traces that are still clearly visible.
A visit to the Casemates is like a trip back in time, where you can discover Maastricht's history in a special way!
Why are the Casemates so special?
What makes the Maastricht Casemates so special is the historical significance and the unique atmosphere you experience when walking through the corridors. It is like a trip back in time, where you can admire the tangible remnants of the past.
A visit to the Casemates offers the chance to understand Maastricht's history in a way that books and museums cannot match. You can explore the narrow corridors and imagine how soldiers once lived and worked here.
Visiting the Casemates
During a visit to the Maastricht Casemates, you can take part in fascinating guided tours led by expert guides who take you on a journey through history. They share stories about the sieges, daily life in the Casemates and the strategic significance of this underground world.
History of the Casemates
The history of the Casemates dates back to the late 18th century, when they were built as part of Maastricht's fortifications. During the siege of Maastricht in 1794, the Casemates played a crucial role in defending the city. Later they were used as storage rooms and during World War II they served as shelters.
Please note: purchase your tickets in advance online for the tour Kazematten Waldeck or buy your tickets
in the Maastricht Underground Ticketshop (further down the road at Fort Sint Pieter: 15-20 min walk or 5 minutes by car).
Casemates Maastricht (Kazemats Maastricht)
Address: Waldeckpark, near Tongerse plein, Maastricht
Google Maps
On foot:
About 15-20 minutes' walk from the Maastricht Underground Ticketshop and also about 15-20 minutes from the Maastricht Visitor Centre (Kleine Staat 1, Maastricht). It is recommended to use a map or navigation. Pedestrians coming from the city centre can also follow the ANWB signposting 'Bastion Waldeck'. On one side of the large Tongerseplein roundabout is Waldeck Park. Walk around the fortification. In this park, the red door is the entrance to the Casemates.
Car:
You can park (paid) on Prins Bisschopssingel. There are no free parking spaces available. Along the large roundabout (Tongerseplein) is Waldeck Park. Walk around the fortification. In this park, the red door is the entrance to the Waldeck Casemates.
Coach:
On Tongerseplein near Waldeck Park is the regular local bus stop Tongerseplein/Hertogsingel. This may be used as a boarding and alighting location for a maximum of 5 minutes, provided public transport is not hindered. You walk from there to the entrance of the Kazematten in 5 minutes (walk towards Cannerplein). For coach parking and other embarkation and disembarkation locations click here
Public transport:
Next bus line 9 towards St Pieter and get off at the Waldeckpark stop. Walk back towards the park. Walk around the fortification. In the park, the red door is the entrance to the Waldeck Casemates (see photo). On Sundays, line 9 is an on-call bus.
