Maastricht

The literary work Mariken van Nieumeghen, part of the Flemish Canon, takes place in several concrete locations that play an important role in the course of the story.

In Venlo, Mariken initially lives with her uncle Gijsbrecht, who is a priest. This is a safe haven for Mariken before she is sent out. Mariken is sent by her uncle to Nijmegen for errands. This is where her trial begins and she meets the devil in the city. After the events in Nijmegen, Mariken and the devil (Moenen) travel together for some time through, among other places, 's-Hertogenbosch. However, this city is briefly mentioned as the place where they stay. Antwerp is the most important city in the story after Nijmegen, where Mariken and the devil live together for seven years. Antwerp is not only frequently referred to in the story, but it was also the place where the oldest printed versions of the work have been found, making it symbolically relevant.

In Maastricht is the convent of the sinful women, where Mariken does her penance after her sinful life. This is the endpoint of her physical and spiritual journey.

Pascal Brackman