break-through

In 1867, when Maastricht began demolishing the old city walls, people were glad to get more room to breathe. But today we are happy with the characteristic walls and gates that are conserved, thank to the fervent pleading by Victor de Stuers. As a little compensation, the gate called 'Poort Waerachtig' (see the picture) was built in 1888.
Outside the old gate called Pieterspoort, Maastricht built the new town district Villapark for the rich. When they went to the town, they went via a beautiful park and through the Hellgate. Outside the Brusselsepoort it built the church of Saint Lambert, but (alas!) on a weak subsoil. Near this church there came a second new town district, outside the roads surrounding the town that had been laid on the traject of the demolished city walls. At the east side of the city, stately boulevards were constructed. So Wijck got a much better aspect. In this area came the new railway station too, in 1915.
After the annexations of sint Pieter, Oud Vroenhoven and a part of Meerssen, and finally Heer and Amby, Maastricht laid out large outer city districts. As an example we mention the popular district Wittevrouwenveld, with the new stadium of the local football club.

another picture