Unveiling Maastricht Underground. This afternoon, prepare to journey into the depths of Maastricht’s best kept secret, the mysterious Maastricht Underground. Hidden beneath the surface lies a world of intrigue and wonder, waiting patiently to be discovered.

We toured the fascinating underground caves of Maastricht, a labyrinth of over 20,000 passageways first excavated by the Romans.

We almost chose not to do this tour because we weren’t sure what to expect, and were afraid it might be a boring old tour. I can’t tell you how glad I am that we opted in. As we descended into the depths of the tunnels, and encountered our first reliefs, frescoes, and charcoal drawings, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation mingled with excitement. It was like the tunnels were whispering tales of centuries past, giving us unique glimpses into Maastricht’s rich history.

Guided by the soft glow of our tour leader’s light, we started our journey into the underground network of what we discovered was an old limestone quarry. I was expecting to see simple drawings or etched carvings that dated back hundreds of years ago. I was not expecting what I actually did see. Adorning the walls were intricate carvings created with a tremendous amount of detail. Words fail me, and the photos will have to do the work. It was simply incredible.

Each twist and turn revealed new wonders, intricate carvings and drawings. This carving was larger than life.

I found myself particularly drawn to these two images. The first shows Jesus with the little children. The love, tenderness, and care captured in this image was tangible.

Then there was a rendering of Jesus walking on the water. It caused me to pause and really imagine what that moment in time so many years ago must have been like.

In fact, it was surprising to see how many depictions of Biblical stories adorned the corridors of these dark tunnel walls, highlighting the spiritual heritage Maastricht may have shared at some point.

And yet, amid the religious representations, we were pleasantly surprised to also discover a more whimsical side.

I can’t describe how shocked we were when we began to see familiar fairy tale stories like Snow White and Jack and the Beans Stalk. It felt a bit surreal.

Even Romeo and Juliet were depicted.

The whole experience was completely unexpected and truth be told, we could have explored for several hours more. Here are a few more photos to give you a glimpse into what else we saw! Warning, some photos and artwork may be rather dark, as the only illumination we had came mostly from the guide’s one small light and the power of our iPhone!

Just look at these vibrant colors, hidden in total darkness deep beneath the surface of Maastricht.

I am uncertain about the function and purpose of the table and benches located in the depths of the hidden tunnels in this next photo. Despite my uncertainty, I found them intriguing. I want to say they were used by the artists who came down to create their masterpieces, but I can’t say for sure.

Right before our departure, the artwork that left the strongest impression on us depicted John F. Kennedy and the moon landing. It served as a poignant reminder of the contributions of more recent artists. So intriguing!

As we concluded our exploration of the hidden tunnels of Maastricht, I was left with a profound sense of awe for the city’s rich history and its hidden depths. It truly felt like a privilege to unravel the artistic layers of history buried within these dark corridors. To think we were so close to missing it all!

For more information on our itineraries, feel free to email us at dtgainor@gmail.com or visit Global Getaways to learn more about how who we are and how we work.