This Maastricht city star is a typical example of a property mark.
It was usual for the city to put the city star on its buildings, walls and gates.
We know that in 1749 Francois Soiron was charged with carrying out a number of repairs to the Dinghuis, including the construction of a new entrance at Jodenstraat. The year 1749 is still evidence of this. Another date - in the front facade, middle window, third floor - is a reference to other necessary renovations in 1696.
The Dinghuis was the headquarters of the supreme court of Brabant and Liège. The building, entirely of timber framing, was constructed around 1470: the side wall on Jodenstraat still dates from this period. The bluestone facade was built around the middle of the 16th century. In 1793 it was crowned with a triangular pediment where the medieval clock was placed. This is the original clock with only one hand.
The function of the Dinghuis as a court of justice was abolished when the new town hall was opened at the Markt in 1664. The building became then prison, antiquities room, chamber of commerce, school, puppet theatre and, since 1985, Maastricht Visitor Centre.
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