Maastricht

Located along the Maas (Meuse) River at the junction of several canals. It was settled by the Romans and was the seat of a bishop from 382-721. It was held by the dukes of Brabant in 1204, then was under the joint sovereignty of Brabant and prince-bishops of Liège (1284). From the 13th to the15th century, it flourished due to the expanding cloth industry. It is noted for its cathedral, founded in the 6th century.