world's coolest bookstore

The other weekend, A had off from work (surprise!) and last minute, we decided to go somewhere. Living where we do in Germany, we are so close to so many other countries: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, etc. We knew we wanted to go to Haarlem for a night which is closer to Amsterdam and Maastricht for a night, which is closer to our house and base. Maastricht is the closest city to us just over the Netherlands border. I didn't expect it to be so beautiful, more like a border town that people go to just to buy pot legally. But I was pleasantly surprised. It was beautiful. More Belgian looking than Dutch, but nevertheless, still nice and definitely worth the trip. We rented an apartment for the night and walked around for a day and a half.

Before our trip, I told A the number one thing I wanted to see in Maastricht was a book store, he said, well, ok, whatever, yea let's go. I told him a book store IN a church, but this far exceeded his expectations! This is a typical European church (so, beautiful, impressive, jaw dropping, high detailed ceilings, stained glass, the works) turned book store. The bookstore is called Selexyz Dominicanen and it won the Lensvelt de Architect Interior Award in 2007 - rightfully so! It seems as if the designers didn't change the church at all, just added a bookshelves, books, and a cafe to have coffee while reading! Selexyz Dominicanen in Maastricht definitely won my approval for coolest bookstore in the world!


Selexyz Dominicanen in Maastricht, Netherlands


Selexyz Dominicanen in Maastricht, Netherlands