Fully booked tours: “Deceptive Tales”

All three exclusive tours, led by curator Odin Essers, quickly reached full capacity. Participants were granted a rare glimpse inside the underground depot at Grote Looiersstraat 17, where a hidden treasure of historical books is preserved, the Special Collections.

Themed “Deceptive Tales”, the tour explored centuries-old publications on Saint Servatius, the first bishop of Maastricht and a foundational figure in the city’s story. Highlights included a 1649 poetic play by Bernard Heymbach and the first comprehensive biography of Saint Servatius, written in 1662 by Andries Bouwens.

Visitors also had the chance to view several remarkable items from the collection: a medieval manuscript, a hand-coloured 1628 atlas by Gerard Mercator, the personal prayer book of Louis Bonaparte, and a stunning array of illustrated fairy tale books from the early 20th century. Odin Essers shared insights into the background and value of these works and the library’s efforts to enhance their accessibility and long-term preservation.

          

Cultural Evening at the Dominicanen Bookstore

As part of the broader Heiligdomsvaart celebrations, the Special Collections also inspired a vibrant cultural evening at the Dominicanen Bookstore. The program featured spoken word performances and live acts by students from Maastricht University and United World College. Among the highlights was a captivating magic show that delighted the audience. Several of the performances were directly inspired by objects from the Special Collections, bringing history to life in creative and contemporary ways.

Musician Chris Dols provided a rich musical backdrop throughout the evening, tying together the various performances and adding to the festive atmosphere of reflection, art, and community.

Click on the image below to watch a recap of the Spoken word event. 

Still of video Spoken word event