Last chance to visit Pilgrimage to Maastricht and shortlisted for the LGOG De Treckpoel Prize 2025
Maastricht, 27 August 2025 – Maastricht Museum is proud to announce that the book Pilgrimage to Maastricht – The Veneration of Saint Servatius and the Pilgrimage of the Relics has been shortlisted for the De Treckpoel 2025, the prestigious prize awarded by the Royal Limburg Society for History and Antiquities (LGOG) for the best public history book on Limburg.
The publication was released to coincide with the exhibition of the same name at Maastricht Museum and the Pilgrimage of the Relics Year 2025. “This nomination is a wonderful conclusion to the exhibition, which closes on 31 August. The fact that the book is recognised by such an expert jury makes us immensely proud,” says Wim Hupperetz, Director of Maastricht Museum – Centre Céramique.
Bringing centuries-old traditions to life
The book offers a richly illustrated and in-depth exploration of the age-old pilgrimage tradition surrounding Saint Servatius. The opening chapter, written by Sandra Langereis—known for her award-winning biography Erasmus, Dwarsdenker (Erasmus, Maverick Thinker)—takes readers on the pilgrimage of a sixteenth-century traveller. In 2025, it is exactly 500 years since this pilgrimage took place.
Alongside this personal journey, the book explores the legend of Saint Servatius, the role of pilgrimage souvenirs, the church treasuries of the collegiate churches, and the four city devotions: the reliquary bust of Saint Servatius, Our Lady Star of the Sea, the Black Christ of Wyck, and the relic of Lambertus. Experts such as Pieternel Coenen, Jos Koldeweij, Jip van Reijen, Miriam Paloni, Peter te Poel and Régis de la Haye provide historical context and interpretation for a broad audience.
Pilgrimage to Maastricht is the second publication by Maastricht Museum, following the successful and now sold-out Maastricht 1673 – The Sun King Conquers the City. The new publication is also available in English and aligns perfectly with the museum’s mission: to reveal and connect hidden stories.
De Treckpoel 2025
Six titles are competing for the De Treckpoel Prize, including five non-fiction books and one historical novel. The winner will be announced on 11 October 2025 during Limburg Heritage Day at Cultuurhuis Heerlen. The prize aims to bring accessible, well-researched books on Limburg’s history to the attention of a wide audience. This year’s jury consists of Bibi Beekman (archaeologist), Lucien Custers (literary historian/Dutch studies scholar), Kris Förster (public historian/LGOG board member), Marianne Lubrecht (Dutch studies scholar/literary researcher) and Paul van der Steen (journalist/historian).
Maastricht Museum eagerly awaits the announcement of the winner. In the meantime, we invite everyone to visit the exhibition Pilgrimage to Maastricht until 31 August—the final opportunity to experience the history of the Pilgrimage of the Relics in both word and image.
