Crosier Monastery, Maastricht

2561: 2429: 2185: 2441: 1813: 2413: 479: 2173: 2161: 2197: 2327: 1683: 1351: 2401: 329: 1735: 1339: 321: 2573: 1789: 708: 2461: 909: 1829: 2024: 1464: 804: 945: 921: 1367: 2012: 2533: 1895: 1580: 1592: 1568: 2549: 1907: 1556: 570: 1777: 2499:. Around sixty documents precede the founding of the monastery. They are either related to the early history of the Crosier Order, or to transactions of real estate later acquired by the Crosiers. Three documents are of paramount importance for the history of the monastery: the original deed of 1436 in which five houses at Kommel where transferred to the Crosiers, the permission for the monastery foundation by the local clergy (1437), and the permission granted by the bishop of Liège (1438). In 2015 most of the Crosier archive was preserved and digitalised as a result of a national conservation programme ( 1883: 2045: 1801: 933: 1504: 837: 2299: 2287: 1452: 1133: 1476: 1719: 1488: 1707: 1695: 2000: 1315: 1184:, probably dating from shortly after 1579 (see 'History' above). The connection between the choir vaults and the nave is far from seamless and still very much visible. Only the north aisle is a full aisle, 4.5 m wide and 7.7 m high. The pillars between the aisle and nave are of Namur stone. The south aisle is a pseudo-aisle. It is only 2.4 m wide and consists of five side chapels that were built between the buttresses. Three of these chapels are still recognizable as such, the others have been walled off and are now part of the cloisters. 1935: 829: 1327: 1121: 1109: 31: 2275: 462:. In 1495 construction of the west wing commenced. The ground floor with the new, permanent refectory was finished in 1500; the upper floor with cells for the friars around 1520. The old refectory became the library, as well as the prior's quarters and a guesthouse. The south wing was finished last by prior Mathias Mijnecom (1517–27) after the old brewery and bakery had been destroyed by fire. Around 1520 the church and monastery had the extent and the appearance that it would keep for the next 500 years. 2213: 1919: 1988: 1145: 1259: 471: 1770:. The white pavement and the colour of the garden furniture, as well as the red and white window shutters, refer to the colours of the Crosiers' cross. A modern staircase leads to a fire escape tunnel that goes under the south wing of the cloisters, connecting the courtyard to the outside world. A light sculpture by Ingo Maurer in the shape of an illuminated vertical column filled with 3000 litres of water with silver dust has been temporarily removed because of malfunctioning. 2311: 1243: 961: 1231: 1219: 1207: 1161: 1549:

They are visible only through the glass back wall in the toilets. The 16th-century stone of mayor Mathijs Nollens's family is very worn. Next to this is a 17th-century stone with the coats of arms of the families Meesters and Selen. The third stone along this wall also dates from the 17th century and was part of the grave of mayor Andries van Stockhem and his wife Catharine.

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shed was built into the church, making extra room for laboratories. During the eighty years that the institution was based in Maastricht it always remained an outsider. Most of its personnel came from outside the region. The former monastery buildings were fenced off and remained an alien body in the city. In the late 1970s the institution was moved in phases to

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Keulen (ca. 1462–1489), Franciscus van Nijmegen (ca. 1493–1531) and Jasper Schaefdriess (ca. 1519–1569). The latter was asked to teach copyists in Liège in 1533. Theodoricus van Sittard and Johannes Leerdam were well-known bookbinders around 1500. Johannes Leerdam worked in Maastricht for about ten years, then moved to London towards the end of his life.

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renewal of the church's vaults). In 1582 the books that had been shipped to Aachen for safety, returned to Maastricht. After this, the monastery would not reach the same level of prosperity that it had enjoyed before. Where it had previously 25 or more friars, in 1615 it had only 9, and throughout the 17th and 18th century it would never exceed 15.

357:, a seven-yearly pilgrimage. A wealthy citizen, Gilles of Elderen, offered the Crosiers a place to stay in some houses that he owned at Kommel. In 1436 Gilles donated five houses with gardens at Kommel, as well as some money, to the superior general of the Crosiers, stipulating that this was to be used for founding a new monastery in Maastricht. 1848:. The ceilings are supported by beams with profiled corbels, which are all painted white. The tiled floors were renewed in 2004. The north corridor is narrower because it is adjacent to the church. The other corridors provide access to rooms that have windows looking out onto the street. The protruding section of the south corridor contains a 2488:, bundles and loose papers. it is considered special because of its completeness which is unique in this part of Europe. Almost the entire financial administration of the monastery from 1450 to 1795 has been preserved. It provides valuable information, not only about the monastery but about many aspects of life in Maastricht in general. 545:, as well as the sale of burial rights in the church (for which the church was known). Over the centuries the Crosiers got ever wealthier because of the accumulation of property that people left to them. Most of this property (or income from real estate) was located in the vicinity of Maastricht, mostly in the border region with 2236:

A small sculpture that did survive is an heirloom from a previous occupier, the agricultural testing station. The wooden statuette of a Crosier used to be in the director's office but was given to the Kruisherenhotel when it opened in 2005. It now stands in a niche in the apse of the former church. A

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tower. It was around ten meters high and only fragments of it survived. It was sculpted in or shortly after 1561 by Liège sculptor Guillaume de Jonckeu. The contract for the work between De Jonckeu and prior Servaes Heynsberch still exists. According to this contract, the tabernacle was to follow the

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Several interesting ledger stones have been moved here, probably from the church. The floor of the lavabo space in the south corridor consists of a large ledger stone from the 17th century that once covered the grave of the Alards family. Another ledger stone has been placed against the north wall of

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that is not entirely square, surrounded by four monastery wings. The lower Gothic windows on this side were probably once open; they were (re)glazed in the 19th century. Gothic windows also appear in the upper floor of the south wing; the lower windows in this wing are wider than elsewhere. Also, the

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The Crosier Monastery in Maastricht is unique in the Netherlands as it has been preserved in its original state almost completely. Some minor parts have not survived. As late as 1962, a 17th-century gateway with the Crosiers' coat of arms was demolished. Along Kommel there are some small houses (all

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The Maastricht testing station initially did agricultural research for the southern provinces of the Netherlands. It was gradually given additional tasks, as for example the national research on fertilisers and on cattle feed. In 1947 the Crozier church was added to its premises and in 1953 a wooden

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Jacobus van Lokhorst. In 1906 part of the east wing collapsed during restoration work. The church was renovated in 1912-14 by chief government architect Daniël Knuttel. Under the church floor Knuttel discovered fragments of a Renaissance tabernacle tower (see description below). The church was then

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for the French troops. When the French left in 1814, the Dutch garrison took over the buildings. They were used as barracks, storage for military clothing and the garrison's bakery. Although the former monastery was owned by the city of Maastricht, it was the Ministry of War that decided how it was

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meant the end of all monasteries in Maastricht. In 1796 the Maastricht Crosier Monastery was dissolved. The eight priests and two lay-brothers that remained were forced to leave the monastery within one year. Under French law, those that wanted to remain active as priests had to swear the so-called

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The four wings of the monastery make the shape of an imperfect square between the streets Kruisherengang and Kommel. The north wing runs parallel to the south aisle of the church and for that reason is not visible from the street. The east wing overlooks Kommel, a street that at this point has the

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Gerard van der Marck and his wife in 1482. It was reused for Art Proenen and his wife in 1618. The ledger stone of Elisabeth and Vaes Nuellens from 1510 is decorated with the Lamb of God and the Four Evangelists' symbols in the corners. A large sculpted ledger stone was moved to one of the chapels

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From 1438 until 1796 around 30 priors were in charge of the Maastricht Crosier foundation. Initially, the monastery was not allowed to choose its own prior. Later, probably from the 16th century onward, priors were chosen by the so-called house chapter, made up of all priests (friars who had taken

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In 1796, with the dissolution of the monastery, the Crosier archive was saved by friar Godefridus Willems. Otherwise it probably would have been sold as old paper, as happened to other monastery and church archives. When Willems died in 1835 the Dutch state confiscated the archive. In 1882 it was

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Johan Sdrogen and his wife Verona Weertz. Against a wall in the south-east chapel stands a ledger stone of 1639 with the damaged coat of arms of Lysbeth Coenegracht, widow of Herman Jekermans. Leaning against the wall of the north aisle are three ledger stones that were moved here from elsewhere.

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were produced in the Crosier Monastery until the second half of the 16th century. The book covers were made of calf leather with embossed decorations of lions, flowers, leaves or lozenge shapes. Several carry an emblem: an angel holding the Crosiers' coat of arms. Famous copyists were Daniël van

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preacher Hendrik Denijs was buried in the choir of the church in 1571, and that three years later the dean of St. Servatius', Nicolaas van der Straeten, was buried in the same grave. None of the remaining ledger stones are in their original location. Some were moved to the cloisters (see below);

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At the opening ceremony of the Kruisherenhotel on 1 September 2005, the superior general of the Crosier Order, Rein Vaanhold, said in his speech that the new purpose of the building was consistent with its historical function: making guests feel welcome. The hotel received the bi-annual Monument

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clinic in one of the wings, it was told that this was not in accordance with the military purpose. In the 19th century the decaying complex – the only medieval monastery that had escaped destruction – inspired local artists as Philippe van Gulpen (1792-1862) and Alexander Schaepkens (1815-1899).

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in 1804, where he died two years later. This monastery led a dormant existence with a few elderly friars until the mid-19th century, when it played a key-role in the resurrection of the Order. The dissolution of the Maastricht monastery met with few protests. The institution had outlived itself.

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hier licht begraven den eersaemen / Ardt Meesters sterf den 15 meirt / ao 1633 ende jan selen ao 1637 / den 7 october ende marcellus selen / soene van jan selen iamerlijck vermoort jonckman synde ao 1663 / den 23 october ende Elisabeth van / Offenbeeck hunner beyder huysvrouwe sterf ao 16.. den

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had dwindled, as was the case in other monasteries in Maastricht. The spiritual influence of the Crosiers on their surroundings was negligible, both in Maastricht and elsewhere. Several monasteries were forced to close for lack of friars. In Maastricht, only ten Crutched Friars took holy orders

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The founding of the Crosier Monastery in Maastricht in 1438 was part of a wave of monastic foundations within the Order. The Crosier Monastery in Venlo was for most of these – including the Maastricht monastery – the mother monastery. After Maastricht, more monasteries were founded in the Mosan

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of 1568). De Jonckeu received 120 Brabant guilders for the work. The money was provided by the dean of St. Servatius, Nicolaas van der Straeten, who was buried in front of the tabernacle in 1573. During the restoration of the church in 1913 around 15 fragments of the tabernacle were discovered

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many Crutched Friars died; those that survived perished during the ensuing plague epidemic. For a while the monastery remained uninhabited. In 1581 prior Hubertus of Stavelot sold some of the Crosiers' possessions in order to pay for the repair of the monastery buildings (including the partial

1102:, like the west windows, were reopened and reglazed in the early 20th century. The windows of the choir bays, between the apse and the nave, are blind. Most of the south (pseudo-)aisle is hidden from sight behind the cloisters. Three clerestory windows can be detected from the cloister yard 2377:

Starting in 1528, prior Jan Proenen kept meticulous records of the financial affairs of the monastery. He also recorded the books he purchased for the library. In 13 years he bought over 60 books, half of which were non-religious. In 1536 he bought a Latin dictionary in five languages by

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The length of the church (nave plus choir) is ca. 42.6 m (inside measurements); the choir measures 18.1 m and the nave 24.5 m. The total width of nave and aisles is ca. 17 m; the nave by itself 10 m. Both choir and nave are 14.85 m high, the aisles are lower. The choir consists of two

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with alternating layers of brick and limestone, a stepped gable and bluestone door and window frames. A brand new pavilion clad in COR-TEN steel was added to the east of this in 2004. Between this "Casa Nova" and the south wing of the main monastery a patio garden has been laid out.

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The choir stalls of 1462 were replaced in the 17th century. The carved statues of Jesus and the twelve apostle were moved to the refectory; some of the wood was used for a partitioning wall in a 17th-century house in Kommel. Van Hasselt (1903), p. 15; Keyser-Schuurman (1984a), p.

2095:. On top of this was the proper tabernacle which had three metal doors with statues of angels in between (one of the angels, 70 cm tall and standing in a niche, has been preserved). It could be reached via three steps of Namur bluestone. Above the tabernacle were three 552:

The Fraternity of the Holy Cross seems to have existed from 1439 until 1579; after that there is no mention of it. Another fraternity was founded around 1510 and lasted till the dissolution of the monastery. It was devoted to the patron saint of the Crosiers,

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The choir vaults are decorated with murals from the 15th and 16th century that are partly in a poor state. Some of these were completed in 1461 by Master Gerardus but were altered by an unknown hand in 1571. The decorations consist of floral wreaths, the

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The public spaces and rooms of the Kruisherenhotel – fifty in the main building and ten in the Renaissance House and Casa Nova (see below) – were individually conceived by interior architect Henk Vos, who made use of furniture and lighting designs by

494:. In 1468 there were 15; in 1483 this had increased to 23. In 1500, the Maastricht monastery was among the larger foundations of the order. The fifth prior, Walterus of Herentals (1483-1517), accepted 24 new priests, many of whom came from Maastricht. 861:

he managed to find funding for the renovation of the building that was to be given a new purpose. From 1897 onward, the National Agricultural Testing Station ("Rijkslandbouwproefstation") gradually moved into the monastery wings, after restoration by

1200:'. The smaller mezzanine fills the north aisle. It has a reading room on top and lavatories and offices below. An egg-shaped office designed by Ingo Maurer is near the west entrance. All this can be removed without permanent damage to the building. 2440: 1191:

were constructed inside the church in 2003–05. The larger mezzanine runs parallel with the nave and part of the choir. It is connected to other parts of the hotel by glass walkways and elevators. On top is a restaurant seating 85. Below is a

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hier ligt begraven den eersamen / thomas vlrich coenestabeel deeser / stadt maestriest in sienen tidt / ghewest staerf ao 1624 den 7 octobre / ende sien beminde hvisvrowe anna / scronx ock in hedt ao 1624 den 8 / october. bidt godt voer die

2412: 2560: 1621:, Arthur Spronken, 1982) was relocated in front of the hotel, also in 2009. The south wing is visible only from a secluded garden between the monastery and a row of houses along Kommel. Both the south wing and the west wing end in a 1952:

Adjacent to this row of houses are two buildings that are now part of the Kruisherenhotel. The 17th-century building on the south-west corner is known as "Renaissance House" (Kruisherengang nr. 23). It is a remnant of the original

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received several commissions from the Crosiers between 1512 and 1516. Among these were a statue of Saint Michael of 1512 and one of the Virgin Mary of 1515. It is unlikely that any of these still exist. In 1733 local artist

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of the order in Huy. Thereafter, the priors of monasteries north of Maastricht would stay overnight in Maastricht on their way to Huy. In 1433 this proved to be problematic when all accommodation was booked because of the

1812: 1350: 1640:, which is harder. Pointed Gothic windows, partly dating from the 15th century, appear on the ground floor of the south and east wing, and in the stepped gables. Elsewhere 16th-century rectangular windows with stone 2510:

of the Maastricht Crosiers dates from the 15th century. After having been lost for decades, it was discovered by chance in 1876 and is now part of the RHCL archives. Its diameter is 3.5 cm. In the centre is a

3156:... jof catharine van stockhem weduw wile sr johan nysmans zaliger die starf den / 3 may 165.. ende heer andries van stockhem / in synen leven borchemeester deser stadt / maestricht die starf den 25 october 166... 3202:

Among the 14 signed works by Van Steffeswert and the ca. 100 works that have been attributed to his workshop, there is not a single statue of Saint Michael. The statue of the Virgin Mary may have been part of a

2184: 2572: 2386:, it was confiscated by the French in January 1795. In February, the rest of the valuable books were confiscated and shipped to France. All of the books bought by Proenen went missing, except for one. His 3053:

Hyr ligt oeck begrave die eersa/me Arnt Proene, peimeester deser / goder stadt sterff ao. xvcxviii den / xxxviii novembris en joffrou mari / paris sȳ huisfrou sterf ao. xvc / en xxvi de xxi dach Decembris

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hier licht begraven emeren / tiana • nollens • dochter van / burgemr mathis nollens / ende maria van Buel Burch op de / holtmerct ende is gestorven / int iaer ons heeren 1580 den 22 / dach december

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Hier light begraven der eersame/vrome en discrete h. Iohan / Sdrogen Borgemr en Schepen / Deser Stadt, sterf ao 1604 / den 28en deceb̄. ende Iof Verona / Weertz syn huysvē. sterf ao... / 16... de...

1445:. These may not be related to the central reliefs. The bottom drawing may be connected to prior Mathias Mijnecom who was known as "Astronomas" because of his knowledge of mathematics and astronomy. 1281:. The text on the banderoles is virtually illegible. A depiction of a cross with the coat of arms of the Crosier Order and two human figures – possibly a Roman and a female saint – may refer to the 976:

region. In 2003-05 the buildings were renovated and re-purposed to house a luxury design hotel with 60 rooms. The renovations were led by Rob Brouwers of SATIJNplus architects. As the building is a

1682: 2626:(2002): 'Maastricht-Maaseik' (review of an article by R. Janssen, 'De kruisbroeders van Maastricht en van Maaseik in de vijftiende eeuw: geen hechte maar wel een losse band', published in 2001 in 1296:: six within a pointed arch on the south wall of the chapel; the other two (originally four?) on the side walls. Depicted are: the birth of Gertrude, the taking of the vows, a bishop consecrating 898:

for the parish of St. Servatius, whose own church underwent restoration. The church was then used by Opera Zuid for storage and rehearsal studios. Parts of the monastery were briefly occupied by

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decorate the north and south wall of the choir. The smaller one on the north wall depicts a heart that is pierced by a sword with two hands folded in prayer below. Inside the heart the letters

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In the inventory of the Crosier archive about 50 locations are mentioned where the Maastricht Crosiers possessed real estate, or had income from land. The more frequently listed villages are:

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had become a major centre. No other works by Guillaume de Jonckeu are known. The sculptures have a certain dynamic but lack detail. Some of the architectural parts are mindful of the work of

218:. Having survived more or less in its entirety, it is a rare example in the Netherlands of a Gothic monastery. The buildings from the 15th and 16th century constitute three listed buildings ( 3049:(hier ligt begrave) Joncker Geraert vā der Marck, die sterft int joir mcccclxxxii-xxv dach Octobris ende syn huysvrou Joffer Kathryn va der Borch die sterf ano mccccxcviii(-xxx dach January) 2744: 2476:) since 1882. It is now stored in the Regionaal Historisch Centrum Limburg (RHCL), based in a former Minorite monastery in Maastricht. The Crosier archive measures 9.9 m and consists of 304 2248:

has been reused in the attic of a house adjacent to the monastery. The acquisition of various liturgical objects is listed in the Crosiers' archive, but only a few have survived. A precious

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that was removed from elsewhere. The larger relief on the opposite wall consists of four vertically arranged parts, partly damaged by a 19th-century mezzanine floor. It probably refers to a

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With the help of the remaining fragments and the surviving contract, it is possible to make a fairly accurate reconstruction of the tabernacle tower. It was constructed of natural stone (

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The monastery wings consist of a ground floor and two floors above, of which the upper floor is directly underneath the roof. Parts of the building are furnished with cellars that have

478: 2895:, with a red vertical bar and a white horizontal (referring to the blood and water coming out of Jesus' pierced side on the cross). Before the 18th century a wide black cloak with a 4148: 2532: 2394:

in 1532, purchased and annotated by Proenen in 1533, and bound in the Crosiers' own bookbindery, is now in the collection of the city library in Maastricht (Centre Céramique, CC).

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series of Renaissance corbels are also relatively late arrivals in the building. They are on loan from the Bonnefantenmuseum but their provenance is unknown. Some have the form of

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Worldly influence entered the monastery in the 18th century. This became apparent with the wearing of wigs and more fashionable clothing (see drawing above). The enthusiasm of the

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According to the charter of 8 October 1437 the dean Joannes de Novo Lapide and the priest Joannes de Valle gave their permission stipulating that the Crosiers gave six barrels of

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that protrudes into the cloister yard. As is the case with the street-facing façades, brightly coloured window shutters decorate the Renaissance windows around the cloister yard.

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the church was first used by the German occupiers, then by the American liberators and finally by a Dutch organisation that helped to recuperate lost possessions after the war (

4126: 920: 557:. The fraternities had their own altars in the Crosier church. The Fraternity of Saint Michael possibly ordered a wooden statue of Saint Michael from the famous wood sculptor 439:) was destroyed in a storm. It was replaced by a smaller ridge turret. After a prolonged break, construction continued in 1501 under prior Walterus Beckers of Herentals. The 4103: 984:

in the church, as well as the entrances, walkways, glass elevators, reception areas and toilets had to be reversible ('box in box' principle). Rob Brouwers added a modern

3177:(hier ligt begrave joris) starf ano xvc xxi – iii septeb. ende mary syn huesf. sterf ano / (xvc.... ende herdwig von vucht) / sterf ano xvc xxx de • xxix • dach / amen 1378:

in the church and the sculptural fragments that were recovered in 1913 from underneath the church floor, testify of a rich artistic tradition. The massive late-Gothic

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and gatekeeper's lodge that stood here. There is some evidence on the north façade that this building was once bigger. The house is built in the local style of the

1579: 537:. Others worked in hospitality (the monastery offered accommodation to lay people; the elderly could 'buy themselves into the monastery') or nursing (as during the 2548: 2326: 2011: 1840:. Surrounding the cloister yard are the cloister corridors. The leaded glass windows date from the late 19th century and were possibly designed in the studios of 361: 2870:

The bishop's charter of 4 January 1438 is also preserved in the RHCL archives. Van Hasselt (1903), pp. 129-131; Keyser-Schuurman (1984b), p. 131: regesta nr. 60.

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The south-west chapel contains a large mural, most likely from the second quarter of the 16th century. The main depiction portrays eight scenes from the life of

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churches in Maastricht, which however are two centuries older. The west façade features a (secondary) entrance, as well as a large and a small window, both with

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mentioned in 1516. It is not even sure that the statue of the Virgin was actually acquired by the Crosiers, only that it was discussed with Van Steffeswert.

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The monastery was frequently damaged during sieges due to its elevated location near the western city wall. The monastery suffered particularly during the

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that adorn the composite columns between the nave and the north aisle, are impressive both in size and skill. The rib vaults are decorated with sculpted

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at the top of the west gable was replaced with a copy around 2004 (the original finial stands in a hotel corridor). The north aisle as well as the north

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In 2000 the city of Maastricht sold the complex to local entrepreneur Camille Oostwegel, who already owned several luxury hotels and restaurants in the

2635: 2460: 1882: 1314: 4168: 1906: 888: 2241:, others of lions or fantasy creatures that hold coats of arms. Since 2005 the corbels are on display in the stairwells and corridors in the hotel. 514: 3038:), that put an end to all monastic institutions in the conquered territories; in France this had happened in 1790. Keyser-Schuurman (1984b), p. 10. 787:. One fled to Germany, another was allowed to return home after he got sick during the voyage, and others were pardoned after interference by the 707: 521:(Cellebroedersklooster), or in parish churches in Maastricht or nearby villages, such as Vlijtingen, Bolbeek and Haccourt. Other friars worked as 1326: 517:(Bonnefantenklooster), the Third Order Grey Sisters (Grauwzustersklooster), the Third Order Sisters of St Andrew (Sint-Andriesklooster) and the 4163: 2298: 1828: 1776: 1132: 992:

added a copper tunnel entrance on the north side. Maurer also designed several light sculptures for the cloister yard and the church interior.

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Oath of Hatred (towards the monarchy and anarchy). Apparently six Maastricht Crosiers refused to do so. As a result, they were deported to the

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Sepultura honeste matrone Elysabet Nuellens proli suarum que obīj̄t Ao Dni XVc decimo mensis january die undecima q̄ aie Reqescāt in pace A

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Mathias Mijnecom is also known as "Astronomas" because of his extensive knowledge of mathematics and chronology. Van Hasselt (1903), p. 44.

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The stone measures 230 x 105 cm. The text around a depiction of the Lamb of God within a circle is written in blackletters in Dutch:

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in between. The window above the main entrance is blind. The modern entrance by Ingo Maurer has the shape of a tunnel made of copper. The

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Prize of the Municipality of Maastricht (the Victor de Stuers medal) in 2005. Also in 2005, interior designer Henk Vos received the

1660:, are painted red and white, the colours of the Crosiers' cross. The entrances in the outer walls of the south and west wings have 803: 4100: 3124: 3077: 3056: 2899:

was worn over this; later this was replaced by an elegant canon's cloak and wide-rimmed hat. Keyser-Schuurman (1984a), pp. 27, 29.

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to St John's and two barrels to St. Servatius'. Van Hasselt (1903), pp. 127-128; Keyser-Schuurman (1984b), p. 130: regesta nr. 57.

380:, bishop of Liège, did so in January 1438, allowing the Crosiers to build a walled monastery, including a church, a bell tower, a 2832: 1144: 894:

The city of Maastricht once again took charge of the buildings around 1980. From 1985 to 1990 the church was used as a temporary

2700:(2006) 'De Orde van het Heilig Kruis in de vijftiende eeuw. Deel 2: De kloosters die na 1410 en vóór 1473 werden gesticht'. In: 2310: 1523:

of Maastricht the Crosier Church obviously was a popular place to be buried. It is remarkable that no graves of friars or other

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Front, back and details of a 16th-century book cover, made by Maastricht Crosiers (RHCL, Crosier Archive, inventory number 335)

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The first stone of the monastery church was laid in 1440. Petrus Toom and Johannes van Haeren were mentioned as architects (or

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Johannes Wery (1695-1750) must have once adorned the main altar in the Crosier Church. Both are now in the church treasury of

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The Crosier monastery (encircled) with surrounding gardens and orchards on an 18th-century scale model. In the background the

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Hier ligt begraven / Lysbyet Connegracht / die Weduwve Herman / ieckermans sterf Ao / 1639 den 19 meert. Bidt voer de Zielen

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underneath the church floor. They are part of the collection of the LGOG Limburg Historical Society, now in storage at the

1304:), the ancient custom to drink to a healthy homecoming of someone who is undertaking a long journey. Saint Gertrude is the 1108: 4057: 3966: 2663: 1503: 569: 3831: 3563: 2677: 2147: 126: 99: 3047:

This ledger stone was still complete around 1900. It measured 265 × 140 cm and the complete epitaph in Dutch was:

2649: 650:) were appointed by the prior, after consulting with the house chapter. In some cases a prior would be procurator too. 973: 872: 836: 369: 2233:

painted the four evangelists for the chancel in the Crosier Church. The whereabouts of these paintings are unknown.

1636:, sometimes in alternating bands with limestone. The lower part of the west wing was replaced in 1928 by Nivelstein 505:. Their first and foremost task was to pray and sing the Liturgy of the Hours. Several of them served as priests in 3035: 2143: 1437:

are clearly recognizable. Above and below are depictions of the coat of arms of the Crosiers and what looks like a

606: 586: 3068:

The stone measures 200 × 110 cm. Around the depiction of the Lamb of God is a worn epitaph, partly in Latin:

2848:(RHCL). Van Hasselt (1903), pp. 126-127; Keyser-Schuurman (1984b), pp. 127, 129-131: regesta nrs. 49, 56 & 60. 2087:

limestone?), 35 Liège feet tall (ca. 10 meters), and consisted of six or seven sections on top of each other. The

1242: 1000:

for his daring design of the hotel interior. In 2011 it was named "hotel of the year" in the Dutch edition of the

3624:'Van Kruisherenklooster naar het Kruisherenhotel', information leaflet without date by Kruisherenhotel Maastricht 2371: 1747: 1527:

have survived. Burials of friars in the church are mentioned in the monastery archive. It is also known that the

1278: 1180:. Five tall apse windows with colourless glass make the space very light. The nave consists of five bays and has 1535:

Some ledger stones were used twice, as was the case with the damaged stone that originally covered the grave of

1230: 387:

Initially the friars lived in houses donated by Gilles of Elderen. A small chapel was built for celebrating the

3260: 2912:. 27 of these had taken their vows in Maastricht. The others came from Crosier monasteries in Aachen, Asperen, 1934: 828: 30: 3615:(restoration information bulletin #50, April 1990), p. 404. Stichting Restauratie De Sint Servaas, Maastricht 376:

of St John's, in whose jurisdiction the monastery was. The latter two gave their permission in October 1437.

2691: 2363: 2128: 1860:

the north corridor. It dates from 1624 when both Thomas Ulrich and his wife Anna were buried underneath it.

1383: 1375: 1034:

monastery church (the south aisle is a pseudo-aisle). It was built between 1440 and 1509 in the local Mosan

772: 2844:

The deed of this transaction of 6 September 1436 is kept in the Crosier archive in Maastricht, part of the

2146:, though less refined. Tabernacle towers with a similar architectural scheme can be found elsewhere in the 1949:) that may or may not have been part of the monastery. They are privately owned and not part of the hotel. 2350:

in Maastricht have survived. Four manuscripts from the 15th and 16th century are in the collection of the

2212: 1379: 647: 538: 526: 345: 1218: 2824: 2713: 2709: 2705: 2230: 2124: 2120: 1206: 1009: 997: 776: 602: 502: 3919: 3857: 2762: 2758: 1058:. The architecture is similar to that of other Gothic monastery churches in the Mosan region, like the 431:). In 1459 the choir was finished but it was not consecrated until 1470. In 1462 and again in 1480 the 3175:. The text continues, barely legible, according to the amateur historian Baron Von Geusau as follows: 1258: 4132: 2139: 2135: 2116: 1293: 1091: 582: 534: 388: 4085: 3816: 3256: 1542:

during the early-20th-century restorations. The stone from 1605 once covered the grave of mayor and

470: 3204: 2485: 2383: 2225: 2062: 1981:, where the Crosiers owned several properties, a street is named after them, the Kruisherenstraat. 1035: 629: 610: 558: 554: 412: 365: 3914:(1995): 'Kunstschatten uit de Sint-Leonarduskerk van Zoutleeuw, parel van Haspengouw', p. 40. In: 450:

The first section of the new monastery, the east wing, was built in 1480–81. This part housed the

4021: 3188:

This stone measures 205 x 120 cm and is decorated with a catouche. The text in Dutch reads:

3090: 2961: 2819:, also a Crosier monastery, has preserved three of its four Gothic wings. Other monasteries like 2816: 2594: 2367: 1442: 1173: 396: 349: 262: 1394:. Two Baroque altars have been preserved in the south chapels. They are of local limestone with 857:

was concerned about the rapidly decaying monastery. Through his contacts with the government in

617:

to the monastery for repairs. After the French left in 1678, the monastery suffered from forced

419:(1474). In the case of the latter monastery, the Maastricht Crosiers were the mother monastery. 3656: 3644: 3423: 3419: 3119:

This stone measures 185 × 130 cm. Only the text (in Dutch) on the lower half is legible:

2793: 2776: 2727: 2614: 2379: 2257: 2073: 2053: 2048:

Four fragments of the tabernacle tower photographed around 1913, shortly after their discovery

1978: 1958: 598: 594: 377: 333: 324:

Oldest charter with transaction of houses and land at Kommel to the Crosiers, 6 September 1436

1973:

and other buildings that were once owned by the Maastricht Crosiers. In the small village of

2982: 2820: 2261: 2217: 2112: 1391: 1286: 985: 965: 854: 341: 4107: 4064: 4025: 3973: 3267: 3013:, Val-Meer, Veldwezelt, Vlijtingen, Wolder and Wonck. Keyser-Schuurman (1984b), pp. 23-27. 2880: 2519: 1649: 1520: 1399: 1059: 62: 3784:

Ubachs/Evers (2005), p. 143: 'Denijs s.j., Hendrik'; p. 517: 'Straeten, Nicolaas van der'

2662:(PSHAL 39), pp. 3–137. Limburgs Geschied- en Oudheidkundig Genootschap, Maastricht ( 2908:

62 names of Maastricht Crosiers are known in the 15th century, of which 54 had received

960: 2084: 1841: 1507:

Detail of a ledger stone of 1633 with coats of arms of the Meesters and Selen families

1434: 1426: 1425:: "we have seen") of 1482, in which the dean of St. Servatius confirmed a privilege of 1297: 1075: 428: 266: 191: 50: 3235:

incorporated in the Rijksarchief by Jozef Habets. Keyser-Schuurman (1984b), pp. 10-11.

2775:. Vierkant Maastricht, Volume 16. Stichting Historische Reeks Maastricht, Maastricht. 277:. The order was recognized by the pope in 1248. Initially, the order mainly spread in 4142: 3143:

ende jan meesters sterf ano 1664 / meert ende anna selen sterf den / 19 december 1691

2892: 2507: 2492: 2092: 1966: 1945: 1869: 1622: 977: 895: 455: 290: 220: 3074:

Hyr lecht begraven Vaes / Nuellens die sterff int jaer / ons Heren M Vc en de xliiii

2224:

As evidenced in the bookkeeping records of the monastery, the Maastricht woodcarver

2052:

A former eye-catcher in the Crosier Church must have been the imposing 16th-century

3881:

Ubachs/Evers (2005), p. 457: 'Sacramentshuis'; p. 517: 'Straeten, Nicolaas van der'

3416:

Op de drempel van een nieuwe tijd. De Maastrichtse beeldsnijder Jan van Steffeswert

2245: 2067: 1865: 1837: 1641: 1512: 1305: 1273: 1070:. The windows had been bricked up in the 19th century but were fitted out with new 1067: 1005: 1001: 781: 542: 436: 3211:(1992): 'De Maastrichtse beeldsnijder Jan van Steffeswert', pp. 44-45, 66-67. In: 1160: 3323:

Van Hasselt (1903), pp. 131-134; Keyser-Schuurman (1984b), p. 133: regesta nr. 66

1413:(Jesus) and MA (Mary) have been carved; above it the date 1595. This might be an 593:

In 1629 a high ransom was paid for prior Martinus Pauli who had been captured by

3006: 2909: 2726:(Maastrichts Silhouet #17). Stichting Historische Reeks Maastricht, Maastricht. 2347: 2108: 2100: 1873: 1759: 1673: 1657: 1430: 1410: 1197: 1165: 1063: 989: 788: 530: 510: 432: 381: 211: 119: 340:

Around 1400 the Crosiers experienced a period of monastic decline. In 1410 the

2978: 2888: 2672:(1996) 'De Orde van het Heilig Kruis op het einde van het Ancien Régime'. In: 2512: 2496: 2339: 2335: 2249: 1970: 1282: 1263: 1083: 964:

Plaque commemorating the start of the restoration campaign (2003). Right: the

884: 400: 392: 207: 115: 2741:

Inventaris van het archief van het Kruisherenklooster te Maastricht 1438-1796

2406:

15th-century necrology of the Maastricht Crosiers (KB, The Hague, ms. 78 F 5)

867:

used for exhibitions, meetings and for registering the unemployed during the

148: 135: 3032: 2644:(1896): 'Prioren van het voormalig Kruisheeren-klooster te Maastricht'. In: 2481: 2355: 2096: 1954: 1853: 1637: 1188: 1181: 1047: 1039: 981: 899: 858: 643: 459: 199: 2658:(1903): 'Geschiedenis van het Klooster der Kruisheeren te Maastricht'. In: 1004:

guide. In 2017 the hotel was officially recognized as a five-star hotel by

360:

The founding of the new monastery could only happen with permission of the

224:). The more or less intact monastery archive is unique in the Netherlands. 3106:

This stone measures 170 × 85 cm. The text in Dutch reads as follows:

1429:

of 1318, allowing the Crosiers to celebrate mass, collect money, etc. The

3872:

Keyser-Schuurman (1984a), p. 37 (erroneously named "Kruisbroedersstraat")

2990: 2986: 2957: 2953: 2945: 2941: 2921: 2917: 2884: 2434:

Detail of a 15th-century manuscript with sermons (UBU, Utrecht, cat. 243)

2362:

or KB). Other collections with Maastricht Crosiers' manuscripts are: the

2238: 2088: 1974: 1845: 1752: 1743: 1661: 1537: 1193: 1087: 816: 642:

holy orders) and presided by the magister general from Huy. A sub-prior (

622: 574: 518: 483: 451: 408: 314: 274: 254: 2464:

15th-century matrix and seal of the Crosier Monastery (RHCL, Maastricht)

1613:

appearance of a square. In 2009 it was redesigned as a park with trees,

35:

Exterior and interior views of the historic building, now a luxury hotel

3002: 2994: 2933: 2929: 2913: 2660:

Publications de la Société Historique et Archéologique dans le Limbourg

2477: 2472:

of the Crosier Monastery has been part of the Dutch National Archives (

2469: 2253: 1544: 1438: 1414: 1071: 821: 812: 792: 784: 614: 546: 522: 506: 416: 298: 282: 258: 94: 3173:

o • godertiere • jhesu • lamp • godtz • ontfermt • dich • onser • amen

1617:

hedges, flower beds and cobbled paths. A bronze sculpture of a horse (

3010: 2974: 2265: 1849: 1751:

south wing features a centrally-placed one-storey outbuilding with a

1665: 1653: 1645: 1528: 1524: 1406: 1395: 1387: 1079: 618: 498: 373: 306: 278: 1030:

The Maastricht Crosier Church is a spireless, three-, or rather two-

214:. The well-preserved convent buildings house a five-star hotel, the 168:

Gothic church plus 4 Gothic/Renaissance wings around a cloister yard

4129:- digitalised archive of the Maastricht Crosiers (keyword: 14.D023) 811:

The former monastery buildings were given a military purpose as an

807:

The monastery in a 19th-century watercolour by Alexander Schaepkens

2998: 2949: 2937: 2828: 2516: 2459: 2391: 2104: 2076:. Some of the fragments, described in detail by the art historian 1933: 1827: 1767: 1733: 1633: 1614: 1516: 1422: 1257: 1159: 1055: 1031: 959: 835: 827: 802: 796: 706: 568: 491: 477: 469: 444: 327: 319: 310: 302: 294: 286: 242: 2769:

Rensch, Th.J. van, A.M. Koldeweij, R.M. de La Haye, M.L. de Kreek

403:, as well as to financially support the new monastic foundation. 4054: