Onze Lieve Vrouweplein

Geschiedenis

The Onze Lieve Vrouweplein is a square in the historic center of Maastricht, the Netherlands. The square is situated south of Maastricht's pedestrianised shopping district. Well known for its many café terraces, it is a popular place with tourists and local people alike.The Onze Lieve Vrouweplein was originally named Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerkhof, because it was the churchyard of the Basilica of Our Lady and the neighbouring parish church of Saint Nicholas . The Romanesque Basilica of Our Lady is famous for the statue of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, the 12th-century figurative capitals in the choir ambulatory, and the church treasury .In 1986, remains were discovered of a 2nd-century AD Jupiter column as part of an enclosed shrine, as well as the remnants of a former Roman castrum dating back to c. 313 AD. The preserved archaeological excavations can be visited in the basement of Hotel Derlon .The European Institute of Public Administration, an EU-affiliated independent institute carrying out training and research on public administration and European policies, is located at Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. Until 1986 it occupyied the so-called House with the Pelican, an Art Nouveau former bank building. Since 1986 it is based in a former canon's house nearby and several modern premises in the courtyard of that building.