Our market square is one of the most beautiful and convivial in Belgium. Its many Maasland-style facades and cosy terraces under the lime trees provide the perfect setting for enjoying the good things in life.

Walking through Maaseik's market today, you get a taste of history.

The statue of the Van Eyck brothers immediately attracts attention. Jan and Hubert Van Eyck are internationally known for painting, among other things, The Mystic Lamb and were probably born in the town of Maaseik. In 1864, they received a white marble statue. None other than Leopold I personally came to Maaseik for the solemn inauguration.

If you stand in front of the statue, you can see on the right-hand side white mesh boulders indicating part of the foundations of the gewanthuis, the first town hall.  This is where the city council met and goods were traded under the building, which stood on stilts. It was mentioned as early as 1347 and was owned by the count of Loon. 

The old town hall at Market No 1 is also a gem. On the wrought-iron front door you will find the coats of arms of the county of Loon and Maaseik. Prisoners used to be locked up in the cellars of the town hall. Just think of the Bokkenrijders, who were strictly pursued and tried in Maaseik, a black page in our history. If you look closely at the 16th-century tower clock, you will see that it has only one hand. 

In front of the town hall is the platform, a column on four steps, a symbol of the freedoms the town had in the principality of Liège. It was here that important decisions were announced. The current platform was re-erected in 1958 and placed here. Its medieval predecessor stood on Hepperstraat, also shown on the old map.

On each corner of the market, there is a water pump made by Maastricht artist Jaspar de Liège. These public pumps date from 1742 and are the silent witnesses of the water supply in the past. They remained in use until the mid-20th century, so not so long ago.

In case you want to know how many lime trees there are in the market square? There are no less than 94.

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Het historische Marktplein Markt
3680 Maaseik How do I get here?