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Maastricht, in recent history known from the ‘Maastricht Treaty’, is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Its past goes to the Roman times. The bridge at Maastricht formed an important link in the Roman communication route from Gaul to Germany.
In the late Middle Ages the city flourished again. The two oldest churches -Onze Lieve Vrouwe and St. Servaas- were enlarged and altered, and several new gothic churches were built St. Jan, Dominikanen, Minderbroeders, St. Mathias, St. Nicolaas, Kruisheren, St. Martinus, and St. Antonius. Numerous monasteries and convents also established themselves in the city at this time. The city reached a peak of prosperity in the early 16th century.
Nowadays Maastricht is a lively town of almost 200.000 inhabitants. Its twice-weekly market and busy shops attract customers from Belgium and Germany and it draws numerous tourists and businessmen. Current policies emphasize Maastricht''s central location in Europe and its European image. In 1981 and 1991 the city hosted the summit meeting of the EC heads of state.
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