If you’re looking for the ultimate stop on a day trip to Maastricht, something truly special awaits you in the city center. The Dominicanen Bookstore is housed in a 700-year-old Gothic church and proudly bears the title of the world’s most beautiful bookstore. With a steel “book tower” and the oldest mural in the Netherlands, you’re stepping into a real story here.
From sanctuary and bike rack to the most beautiful bookstore in the world
Before it became the world’s most beautiful bookstore, this 700-year-old church led quite a wild life. After French revolutionaries drove out the monks in 1796, a centuries-long series of bizarre transformations began. The Gothic church was successively transformed into a printing house, a cold city warehouse, and a party venue for the Maastricht Carnival.
The most surreal chapter? The years when this national monument served purely as a covered bike rack for the residents of Maastricht. It wasn’t until 2007 that the dilapidated building underwent the transformation it deserved. After a masterful restoration, Boekhandel Dominicanen opened its doors, making this historic space the home of thousands of books and international visitors.
A steel book tower and the oldest mural in the Netherlands
When you step inside the church, the breathtaking contrast between old and new immediately catches your eye. To preserve the monumental space and Gothic character, the architectural firm Merkx + Girod designed an impressive black “book tower.” This three-story steel book tower is thirty meters long and floats majestically through the Gothic nave.
Amid the thousands of books, you can look up at 17th-century vault paintings. The true historical treasure, however, is located in the north aisle: a rare fresco from 1337 depicting scenes from the life of Thomas Aquinas. This masterpiece is officially recognized as the oldest mural in the Netherlands and makes your visit a truly special experience.
The ultimate day trip: from espresso on the old altar to the heart of Maastricht
In the church’s apse—exactly where the medieval high altar once stood—lies the charming Blanche Dael Coffeelovers. Here you can enjoy a fresh cappuccino with Limburg flan beneath centuries-old Gothic arches, while daylight streams in through the tall windows. It’s not only a great spot for photos, but also the perfect place to dive right into your new book.
Since the church is just a stone’s throw from the Vrijthof , this book paradise is the ideal starting point for a day trip from the Randstad. This way, you can seamlessly combine architecture, culture, and Maastricht’s historic city center into one unforgettable trip.
