Onze Lieve Vrouweplein by Night

Onze Lieve Vrouweplein is most beautiful in the evening.

It gets dark early here at this time of year. But Maastricht makes up for the long hours of darkness by lighting up in some creative ways at night. White lights are strung in many different forms throughout the city center. On Onze Lieve Vrouweplein (the Square of Our Lady) there are light garlands strung across the street, and ball-shaped clusters of white lights suspended over outdoor restaurant tables on the square's central terrace. 

At the southern end of the square the huge towers and westwork of the Basilica of Onze Lieve Vrouweplein glow golden in the floodlights (the westwork is the monumental wall between the towers). Most of this Romanesque church was built in the 11th and 12th centuries. It's a Roman Catholic parish church, also known as the Sterre der Zee church (Star of the Sea). 

The main attraction in this beautiful church is a tiny gem of a chapel located to the left of the westwork. The chapel is home to a lovely little 15th century wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady Star of the Sea. The gold inscription on the arched entrance to the chapel urges people not to pass by without saying a prayer to Our Lady. It's an inviting place, especially late in the evening, when you can often be all alone with the little lady. There are so many votive candles lit on the rack in front of the statue that you can feel the warmth of the many tiny flames- a gezellig sensation on a cold winter night. I've lit a few candles in this sacred corner of Maastricht. It's one of my favorite places in this wonderful city.






A number of nice cafes with outdoor tables line the western side of the square, and at the northern end of the square the Wolfstraat begins. It's a pedestrian only shopping street that is just east of the original path of the Roman road that existed here in the first century AD. 





It's nice to go for a walk after dinner in Maastricht. Sometimes we'll stop at a cafe called De Comedie along the way. It's at the corner of Wolfstraat, at the northern end of Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. 












A little table under De Comedie's awning (warmed by heat lamps at this time of year) is the perfect place to have coffee and a Dame Blanche for dessert. That's Jim's favorite- vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Tonight I ordered cappuccino and appelvlaai met slagroom- (apple tart with whipped cream). And Jim ordered a beer with his Dame Blanche!
  

From the Vrouweplein we walk back to the apartment via Koestraat and Bisschopsmolen. Usually these narrow pedestrian streets are bustling with activity, day and night. But on this rainy Monday evening all is quiet. On Mondays most of the shops and restaurants in this little corner are closed. But buildings are lit and flags are up, reminding us that the street will be open for business and welcoming us back tomorrow.