Belgium, Maaseik

Maaseik is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. The city is located on the river Maas (or Meuse), bordering the Netherlands. The Maaseik municipality includes the town of Maaseik proper and the old communes of Neeroeteren and Opoeteren.

History

The history of Maaseik begins as Aldeneik (“old oak”) around 700, when Adelard, a local Frankish personality, built a Benedictine monastery along the Meuse. His two daughters, Herlindis and Relindis, both became abbesses of the monastery and eventually became saints. The religious center of Aldeneik soon became the focal point of a small community.

The 16th and beginning of the 17th century were economically profitable to Maaseik thanks to its advantageous location between Liège and the sea. The commercial activity remained strong until the second half of the 17th century, when the regional power of Liège started to fade.

Sights

The Sint-Catharinakerk houses the oldest Gospel Book of the Benelux, the Codex Eyckensis, which dates from the 7th or 8th century.
 
Twelve of the original sixteen watermills around the city are in very good shape and still make flour or saw wood.