Get a good idea of the how and why of this unique and impressive martial monument.
Between 1575 and 1825, a network of corridors or mining galleries developed on the western side of Maastricht. These corridors were used to approach and defuse the enemy underground during a siege of the city. Like moles under the ground, mainly women in the 18th century dug out a 14-kilometre-long defence system under the west side of the city. During World War II, Maastricht people endured anxious hours here packed tightly together as they took shelter from bombing raids.Â