Have a beer in the presbytery in Maastricht

By Christoph Driessen Dec 20, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Maastricht, the Netherlands - The Dutch city of Maastricht is home to many churches but an ever-dwindling number of faithful to fill the pews.

According to government figures, two churches a week are deconsecrated in the Netherlands, and in an effort to prevent the unused buildings falling into a state of disrepair, many are now used for functions far removed from their architects' original intentions.

Some have been converted into business premises, while others now serve as natural history museums, concert venues, rehearsal rooms, research centres and even a hotel.

The city is probably most famous as the location for negotiations in 1991 for the Maastricht Treaty, which was signed in 1992 and and led to the creation of the single European currency, the euro.

However, tourists make their way here for other reasons, namely to enjoy Maastricht's historic buildings, picturesque squares, bustling nightlife and shopping areas, thanks to its large student population.

They are also taken in by the number of renovated churches in Maastricht with the Dominican church and the Church of the Crusaders particularly catching the eye. Both date from the Middle Ages but now house a bookshop and hotel, respectively.

The Dominican church was constructed in the 13th century and during its lifetime was also used as a parking place for bicycles before being converted into a bookshop. The highlight of the renovation is a two-storey black steel bookstack stretching up to the stone vaults, which can be reached by a lift or stairs.

The cafe at the back of the church in the former choir offers views of the renovated 14th century ceiling frescoes, including a portrait of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

The 60-room Kruisherenhotel is located in a renovated 15th century monastery and church where the Gothic exterior contrasts with its modern interior, which includes a glass lift, boutique, bar and a reception area.

The hotel owners claim that the sobriety of the building's new modern style forms a perfect match for a late-medieval architectural expression of religious virtue.

On one wall is a depiction in pictures of everyday life above the inscription 'ever nearer to God.' However, religious visitors might find the fact that the presbytery has been converted into a bar replete with red leather seats not to their taste.

Catholic priest Herman van den Berg takes a relaxed view on the new functions carried out in disused churches across the Netherlands. 'It's better than tearing them down, which is the only logical consequence when fewer and fewer people go to church,' he says. 'I think it's most important that the buildings survive because they are so interesting from an art history point of view.'

Before it became the Kruisherenhotel, the Church of the Crusader was used as a research laboratory for artificial fertilisers before falling into disrepair.

Some of Maastricht's churches are still in use for religious services, including the Romanesque church of Saint Servatius which houses the tomb of Saint Servatius and was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1985.