Around the beginning of the Common Era, the Romans drove the Celts out of Maastricht and build a bridge over the Meuse (‘Maas’ in Dutch) River. The name Maastricht comes from the Latin term Mosae Trajectum, which means ‘passage over the Maas.’

 

Bishop St. Servatius moves the bishop’s see from Tongeren to Maastricht. In the Middle Ages, his grave draws large numbers of pilgrims.

 

In the Middle Ages, Maastricht is granted city rights. During the Middle Ages, Maastricht comes under the rule of the Duke of Brabant and the Prince Bishop of Liège (joint rule).

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The Spanish army led by Alexander Farnese, the Duke of Parma, conquers Maastricht.

 

Stadtholder Frederik Hendrik establishes Dutch rule and makes Maastricht part of the Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden (Republic of Seven United Provinces of the Netherlands).

 

The French Sun King, Louis XIV, captures Maastricht. During the attack on the city walls, the famous musketeer d’Artagnan is killed.

Maastricht returns to Dutch rule and becomes part of the Staats-Limburg, which is one of the Generality Lands.

 

Maastricht becomes part of the French Republic. The French abolish the system of joint rule and give French citizenship to all the residents.

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Maastricht again comes under Dutch rule. General Dibbets succeeds in keeping Maastricht in Dutch hands during the Belgian revolt of 1830.

With the purchase of the first steam engine, Petrus Regout - a glass and pottery manufacturer in Maastricht - kicks off the Dutch Industrial Revolution.

 

The State University of Limburg is established in Maastricht with the goal of breathing new life into the economy of Limburg after the closure of the mines. In 1996, it is renamed Maastricht University.

 

The cooperative platform established by the Dutch, German and Belgian provinces in 1976 acquires legal status in 1991. That cooperation applies primarily to universities, colleges and the business community.

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Representatives of 12 European countries sign the Treaty of Maastricht leading to the introduction of the euro.

 

At the end of 2008, the City Council of Maastricht announces its candidacy for 'Cultural Capital of Europe' in 2018.