Onze Lieve Vrouweplein

The Onze Lieve Vrouweplein is a square in the historic center of Maastricht, the Netherlands. The square is situated south of Maastricht's pedestrianised shopping district. Well known for its many café terraces, it is a popular place with tourists and local people alike. The Onze Lieve Vrouweplein was originally named Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerkhof, because it was the churchyard of the Basilica of Our Lady and the neighbouring parish church of Saint Nicholas (demolished in 1838). The Romanesque Basilica of Our Lady is famous for the statue of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, the 12th-century figurative capitals in the choir ambulatory, and the church treasury (Schatkamer Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek). In 1986, remains were discovered of a 2nd-century AD Jupiter column as part of an enclosed shrine, as well as the remnants of a former Roman castrum dating back to c. 313 AD. The preserved archaeological excavations can be visited in the basement of Hotel Derlon (Museumkelder Derlon; free of charge, after obtaining permission from the hotel staff).