Maasgouw in Limburg

Discover the history of the area along the River Meuse in Maasgouw 

The Maas is the river that connects the 10 residential areas of the municipality of Maasgouw. Gouw means region.
The 10 villages that make up the municipality of Maasgouw have a rich history and lie in an area surrounded by water. Ohé en Laak together with the fortified town of Stevensweert and its fortifications are known as ‘The island in the Meuse’. Maasbracht has one of the largest inland waterway ports in the Netherlands and is the home port for commercial shipping. The impressive Drielingsluis lock complex has a drop of 11.85 metres giving it the largest drop of all locks in the Netherlands. 
The magnificent ‘little white town’ of Thorn, the old centre of Wessum and the lively villages of Heel, Beegden and Linne are also well worth a visit. 
Combi-ticket 3 museums municipality Maasgouw
In 2021 you can visit the 3 museums the Maas Binnenvaartmuseum in Maasbracht, the Thorn Museum or the Streekmuseum Stevensweert/Ohé en Laak for the price of 2 with the combi-ticket. 

Countryside and water

Maasgouw is part of the Central Limburg Maasplassen region, the largest continuous water sports area in the Netherlands. The vast amount of water here means the area has a great variety of recreational activities involving water and water sports. Nature is also richly represented in the municipality of Maasgouw. The municipality is part of the Maas-Swalm-Nette Border Park and the Maas Valley River Park. It is this combination of water, nature and culture that makes Maasgouw a special municipality.

The ‘little white town’ of Thorn

The ‘little white town’ of Thorn lies in Maasgouw. For over 800 years this town was the capital of a miniature principality; now it is a conservation area with many listed buildings. Allow yourself plenty of time to visit Thorn because there is a lot to see. A historic centre with picturesque, little white houses and many authentic buildings dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Winding streets paved with original cobblestones taken from the River Meuse, intimate courtyards, mosaic floors and mediaeval impressions. In the Thorn museum you can visit the Panorama, a 3D work of art. The Gothic abbey church, dating from the 10th century, still dominates this romantic town. A visit to the Kapel Onder de Linden, with its baroque interior, is also worthwhile.

Contact: Hart van Limburg Maasgouw