Sanctuary tour Maastricht

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Servatius of Tongeren

The Maastricht Shrine Tour takes place every seven years in honor of Saint Servatius of Tongeren († May 13, 384) in Maastricht (Netherlands). It belongs to the cycle of seven - year - pilgrimages of Aachen , Kornelimünster and Mönchengladbach .

Legend and origin of the pilgrimage

Crypt and burial place of St. Servatius

The Bishop of Maastricht (today the Diocese of Roermond ), Servatius (“the saved”), presumably from Armenia , died on May 13, 384 in Maastricht. His grave was built in the church named after him . During his lifetime Servatius had announced that the Vandals , together with Alans and Suebi, would invade the Roman province of Gaul . This prophecy came true on New Year's Eve 406 and as a result of this event, the veneration of saints by Servatius increased in Western Europe . His tomb developed into a place of pilgrimage and since 1391 pilgrims have gathered at the tomb. In 1496, over 100,000 pilgrims are said to have participated in the Servatius Festival. Since 1829 the sanctuary trip to Maastricht has taken place every seven years, most recently in 2011. The former church above his grave is today's Saint Servatius Basilica .

The celebrations during the Shrine Tour

At the beginning of each week of the celebration there is the great opening service . Further devotions , services and religious events are offered in the following days . The high point is the great procession (Ommegang), during which the believers and pilgrims are shown valuable and important relics . During the procession, the head in a reliquary bust, the bishop's staff , the pectoral cross , the paten and the chalice of St. Servatius are carried through the streets of Maastricht. The golden Servatius shrine forms the highest point of the procession, in which the bones of the city's patron are kept.

  • Procession (Shrine of Servatius)

  • Reliquary busts

  • Servatius Bridge Maastricht

Shrine Tour 2011

The last Sanctuary Tour in Maastricht took place from June 30th to July 10th 2011. It was under the motto "Towards the light". In addition to the solemn procession, the days were framed with other religious and cultural events. The opening ceremony was celebrated at the well of St. Servatius. Following the rhythm, the next sanctuary tour would be planned for 2018.

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