Maastricht’s modern cultural centre is the perfect place to catch a show, read a book or learn about local history.
The Centre Céramique was designed to be a new urban meeting place for the city of Maastricht, a city with a proud industrial past and a vibrant cultural present. This bold, modern building sits right in the cultural heart of the city, nestled in between the historic town centre and the hip Céramique district.
Completed in 1999, the Centre Céramique is now home to Maastricht’s library, its city archives, a variety of exhibition spaces, and more. Concerts, art shows and lectures are regularly held at the centre, as is the beloved World Press Photo exhibition. The building was designed by architect Jo Coenen, who used materials such as concrete, glass, wood and aluminium to produce a comfortable modern space with an industrial twist.
Seek out the centre’s 35-metre (115-foot) display cabinet for insight into the city’s unique cultural heritage. The heritage displays emphasize Maastricht’s role in bringing the Industrial Revolution to the Netherlands. In the centre’s large permanent collection, you will find pottery and glass from earlier times, as well as some of the province of Limburg’s archaeological finds. Keep an eye out for the display of Japanese prints from the last two centuries.
The Centre Céramique is also home to a number of interesting artworks. Look out for a butterfly made from found pottery shards and a giant dolphin in the Town Hall, the latter of which was made by the Venetian artist Marcello Chiarenza for the opening of the centre. Head up to the second floor and find the four study booths there, which are actually a piece of art made by Joep van Lieshout for the centre. Alternatively, borrow a book from the library and take it to the centre’s dedicated Reading Café.
The Centre Céramique is located in the centre of the city, easily accessible by bus or on foot from many other Maastricht destinations. The centre is closed on Mondays and on Sundays in July and August. Exhibitions are usually free, but check in advance to be sure.
