The Vault

National World War II Treasure Room

Useful Information

Location:	Sint Pietersberg Hill, Maastricht.
Open:	Only after reservation. [2010]
Fee:	upon request. [2010]
Classification:	World War II Bunker Vault
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:	D=60min
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	The Vault, VVV Maastricht Group Reservations Department, Tel: +31-43-3506262. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The Vault is officially named National Storage Facility no. 9. It is located in the Van Schaik Tunnel below St. Pietersberg hill. This place was used between 1942 and 1945 as storage for for a large part of the Dutch national art treasures. So actually it was created by the German occupation, as a part of the so-called Atlantic Wall. The quarries in Limburg were the nearest bombproof shelter.

About 780 famous artworks of the Netherlands were stored here for years until the end of the war. This included Night Watch by Rembrandt,Steer by Potter, and Street by Vermeer. The place where the Night Watch was stored is shown of the tour.

The Vault was constructed not only as a defence against air raids and bombs. It was also protected against surface sieges. There is a defensive corridor which surrounds the entire complex.