Kruisherenklooster (Kruisheren Monastery), Maastricht

The Kruisheren Monastery is a former Crosier monastery in the heart of Maastricht, one of the few Gothic monastic complexes in the Netherlands to have survived largely intact. Dating back to the 15th and early 16th centuries, this marlstone structure was designated a national monument in 1966, reflecting its historical and architectural significance.

Founded in 1440, the monastery complex consists of a church and four monastery wings surrounding a central courtyard. The church’s construction was overseen by architects Petrus Toom and Johannes van Haeren, with the choir completed in 1459 and consecrated in 1470. However, the monastery underwent multiple setbacks, including storm damage to its bell tower in 1462 and 1480, before reaching its final form in the early 16th century.

During the French occupation, the monastery-along with 21 others within Maastricht’s city walls-was dissolved, forcing the Crosiers to relocate. The complex saw various uses over time, and in 2003, it was purchased by renowned hotelier Camille Oostwegel, who transformed it into the Kruisherenhotel, a design hotel that opened in 2005.

The monastery archive, remarkably well-preserved, remains a valuable resource for understanding Maastricht’s history and monastic life in the Low Countries. With its striking Gothic architecture and centuries of rich history, the Kruisheren Monastery stands as a unique blend of heritage and modernity in Maastricht.