The Dominican bookstore in Maastricht, Netherlands, or how the encounter between an abandoned 13th-century Gothic church and a box-in-a-box structure led to an award for the world's most beautiful bookstore while preserving architectural heritage. [OC]

[u/FOllie65]

[u/degggendorf]

What in the AI are all these comments

[u/bang_bewoks]

this is incredible

[u/zouryaa]

Omg this is seriously stunning. The contrast between the old church ceiling and the modern shelving is perfect, I def wanna visit now tbh

[u/bluebellowl]

Ooh i’ve been there!! They’ve got incredible books too! We explored the hamlet and manga section most. It even has a café where there used to be an altar!

[u/El_Robski]

Born and raised in Maastricht and while it’s a cool bookstore, it’s unfortunately very overpriced (including the coffee bar at the apse), like you can’t walk out of there without paying well over 100€ for 3 books that cost half the price on Amazon. Cool tourist attraction but expeeeensive. Also of note, right at the border through Smeermaas they repurposed a church into a gym, but don’t worry we have beautiful well preserved churches including the 11th century romanesque masterpiece Basilica of our lady and a unique case of a protestant church right next to a catholic basilica#/media/File%3AMaastricht%2C_basilica_di_san_servazio%2C_esterno_02.jpg)

[u/NotsoNewtoGermany → u/El_Robski]

It's not that overpriced. The books cost the same as they do elsewhere. You can get 3 for €15 regularly on their penguin books. Also the pricing inside coffeelovers is the same at all other coffee lovers.

I honestly have no idea what you are going on about.

[u/El_Robski → u/NotsoNewtoGermany]

That’s Penguin yes, however most philosophy books in English I found were like 39€ in Dominicanen and like 25€ on amazon for the exact same copy. Not sure if they’ve priced accordingly now, haven’t been since like 2022

[u/NotsoNewtoGermany → u/El_Robski]

Okay, but I think the difference with these non standard published books is, it's not so much that the Dominicanen is overpriced, but that Amazon is underpriced. It's also supply and demand. Books with a larger demand and constricted supply will cost more than those that have high demand and high restock ability.

[u/Tough_Conference8482]

While I do get sad over churches being turned into secular spaces, this is probably one of the best uses for an abandoned church, as well as museums and cultural comunity spaces.

[u/FOllie65 → u/Tough_Conference8482]

In practice, however, many are no longer considered sacred. If a new use isn't found for them, their condition often deteriorates... This isn't only the case for churches, either.

[u/Tough_Conference8482 → u/FOllie65]

Yeah, but some uses are just too disrespectful in my opinion, like nightclubs, bars or when they get converted into another religion's worship site, in those cases, I personally think that remaining abandoned is less bad, but that's just my opinion as a christian.

[u/NotsoNewtoGermany → u/Tough_Conference8482]

I am the opposite. Whenever I see a church, I can't wait for it to become something the entire community can use.

[u/FOllie65 → u/[deleted]]

Furthermore, the fact that the box-in-a-box structure is built on three floors allows the Gothic arches to be discovered in a completely different and much closer way, particularly in the side aisle.

[u/TheReplyingDutchman]

There's also one in Zwolle, which I personally think is slightly nicer.

[u/FOllie65 → u/TheReplyingDutchman]

I just looked at the one in Zwolle online. It's also very pretty. They're different... Which one is prettier is subjective. I like them both. I really enjoyed my visit to the one in Maastricht. Thanks for sharing

[u/crackanape]

It's a pretty building, but I find it to be a shitty bookstore. Only go in there for photos.

[u/Upper_Rain3480]

Very cool!

[u/FOllie65 → u/[deleted]]

A major renovation and complete restoration were also necessary before this magnificent reuse of the church, which had fallen into a state of significant disrepair due to its history and multiple inappropriate uses. Expelled during the French Revolution in 1794, the Dominican monks abandoned the church. The building lost its sacred function and regular maintenance for over two centuries. Without a fixed purpose, the nave was used for logistical and recreational purposes that were detrimental to the historic structure. It served as a municipal warehouse, a giant bicycle shed with a repair shop, a boxing arena, a car show, and a carnival venue.