The bookstore closest to heaven: A sacred and magnificent Dutch church

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department (compiled and reported)

Located in the historic old town of Maastricht, a city with deep historical roots in the Netherlands, stands an imposing and ancient cathedral. Since its construction in the 13th century, it has witnessed dramatic historical events and served various purposes, after which the church was quietly forgotten for nearly a century. It wasn't until 1910 that it began to be used as a venue for various exhibitions, markets, and even boxing matches. In 2004, the Maastricht municipal government and the Dutch booksellers' group BGN (Selexyz) collaborated to transform the cathedral into a large-scale bookstore for the first time.

In November 2006, the church was officially reborn as the world-renowned Selexyz Dominicanen Bookstore, known as the "bookstore closest to heaven." In 2014, it was ranked among the world's ten most beautiful bookstores by CNN in the United States.