The most beautiful church bookstore in the Netherlands — an immersive "heaven" of books and coffee

Text and photos byMrs. Bull 'Ding

An immersive experience of books and coffee...

A nearly forgotten church stood silent for nearly a century. It wasn’t until recent times that this grand cathedral took on various functions — it was used as a car showroom, flower exhibition, Christmas market, bicycle parking lot, and even hosted boxing matches. For nearly two hundred years, it had not been used as a church.

It wasn’t until 2004 that the Maastricht city government and the Dutch booksellers group BGN (Selexyz) collaborated to transform the cathedral into a large-scale bookstore for the first time. In 2005, BGN contacted the Dutch design firm Merkx+Girod to begin planning the design of the bookstore. After the designers’ renovation and remodeling, in November 2006, it officially transformed into the world-renowned “Selexyz Dominicanen Bookstore,” a paradise for book lovers. In 2014, it was ranked among the world’s top ten most beautiful bookstores by CNN.

Whether you’re a bookworm or a casual traveler, the moment you step inside, you can’t help but exclaim, “Wow!” Is this really a bookstore? Your eyes are immediately drawn to the towering ceilings adorned with frescoes and the majestic arched columns. Layer upon layer of deep, columned space seems to pull you in effortlessly. For a moment, you might even forget which book you came to buy. No matter where you look — up at the ceiling or from any angle — the books on display resemble artworks more than anything else, inviting you to slow down, read, or simply meditate.

Another visual highlight is what the designers call the “Book Apartment” — a massive bookshelf made of a single piece of black-painted steel structure that contrasts beautifully with the warm tones of the stone church, creating a perfect balance of strength and elegance. To preserve the original architectural features of the church, such as the high ceilings and pillars, the shelves are very tall, divided into several levels like an apartment. You can’t help but walk up floor by floor, admiring the architectural details of the church at each level. Coupled with the natural light streaming in through the church windows and the interplay of light and shadow from the lighting, standing at the top of the shelves offers a panoramic view of the bookstore’s various levels. When the noise of the crowds gradually fades, it feels as if you’ve come closer to heaven — tranquil, comfortable, and far from the hustle and bustle of the world.

Tired of browsing? Tired of reading? As is often the case, a bookstore and café just go hand in hand to enhance the cultural vibe. Located at the very bottom of the church, beneath the towering transparent glass windows, is the café. The semi-circular stone wall with built-in seating occasionally displays paintings or artworks, allowing you to enjoy art even as you take a break. The most unique feature is the cross-shaped coffee table right in the center of the café. The specially designed medieval-style chandelier above casts a warm glow, making the coffee here taste even more fragrant and rich. It’s said that on busy weekend afternoons, you’ll need to wait patiently to enjoy a cup of this “heavenly” coffee and savor those precious few moments.

This paradise bookstore, designed by the Dutch firm Merkx+Girod, also won the Lensvelt de Architect Interior Prize for interior design in the Netherlands in 2007. Beyond the clever design inside the bookstore, even the entrance is shaped like a scroll of paper, as if welcoming travelers from all over the world to a grand feast of literature.

PS. Boekhandel Dominicanen in Maastricht has been located in the historic Dominican Church since 2006. This church is 700 years old and the bookstore is situated between Vrijthof and Markt in the heart of Maastricht.

Author of this article: Mrs. Bull 'Ding
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