Discover Vaals

Vaals combines a townscape shaped by historic buildings with churches, art and paths through the hilly landscape. During your stay, you can combine cultural stops such as Museum Vaals and De Kopermolen with a trip to the Vaalserberg or one of the hiking routes described here. Each place has a different focus, from religious art and architecture to views and scenery.

Churches, Art and History in Vaals

Museum Vaals features more than 200 church and monastery figures, along with other religious Neo-Gothic art from 1850 to 1920. The monastery chapel has its own building history: it was built in 1908 in the Neo-Romanesque style on behalf of the Camillian Fathers and was designated a Rijksmonument in 1995 for its cultural-historical and architectural value. During the museum experience, visitors walk through the central nave to the altar accompanied by Gregorian chant. The collection, chapel and visitor route give the place several distinct cultural and historical points of interest.

Vaals’ churches also display a range of architectural features. Sint-Pauluskerk is a three-aisled Neo-Gothic cruciform basilica; its tall tower stands at the right corner of the front façade. The building is considered a characteristic work by architect Johannes Kayser (1842–1917), whose design was inspired by North German Brick Gothic. The Hervormde Kerk was built onto a Romanesque sandstone tower in 1671. A former medieval church served both Catholic and Protestant worship from 1649 to 1671.

Memorial sites also form part of local religious history. Next to a former church stands a monument to the victims of war and the Nazi era in Vaals. As far as is known, it bears the names of all the Jewish residents of Vaals who were murdered. The oldest documented traces of Jewish life in Vaals certainly date back to 1737.

Historic Buildings and Public Squares

Vaals has protected village-scape status because of its townscape, which is shaped by historic buildings. Its architectural heritage includes more than 160 Rijksmonumenten, mostly in the typical Aachen-Liège Baroque style, unique in the Netherlands. The U-shaped Vaalsbroek complex is another example of the area’s architectural history: it was built in 1739 on the site of a late-medieval castle. The estate also includes the Vaalsbroekermolen, a watermill, and a mausoleum belonging to the Von Clermont family.

On the Vaals’er Markttapijt, a multicoloured pattern of concrete pavers depicts a woven cloth. The square provides space for the weekly market and events; a fountain area is fitted with 44 nozzles. If you’d like to coordinate your visit with a market or event, check the latest dates in advance.

Another historic building is De Klèng Wach, a former customs office dating from around 1890. It is furnished with photographs, maps and boundary stones. De Kopermolen, meanwhile, is an arts and culture centre in a former Evangelical Lutheran church. The building is used for exhibitions, concerts and municipal receptions. If you’re travelling for a specific event, check its date in advance.

Vaalserberg, Views and Hiking Routes

The Vaalserberg reaches 322.5 metres above Amsterdam Ordnance Datum (NAP). Its vegetation resembles an extension of the Vijlenerbos: tall conifers and large bracken ferns grow across the soft forest floor. There are numerous hiking routes on the Vaalserberg. Near its highest point is the Drielandenpunt, where the borders of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany meet.

The Rundwandeling Joods Vaals is an easy-rated hiking route, 3.6 kilometres long. Check trail conditions before setting out. Another walk, Rundum Kasteel Vaalsbroek, starts at Kasteel Vaalsbroek and follows hiking junctions into the hilly landscape behind the estate. Along the way, changes in elevation open up views across the hill country. The route information gives you specific points to consider when choosing: one route is distinguished by its length and rating, while the other follows a scenic path through the landscape with views along the way.

The Wilhelminatoren also combines architecture and views. It reopened in its current form in 2011 and offers views across the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The tower includes a skywalk 35 metres above the ground. For a different cultural experience, Vindplaats Vaals – De munt van Von Clermont offers an on-site app experience with the virtual archaeologist Archie. As app availability may change, check before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Lemiers, Vijlen.

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