De Vijf Koppen (The Five Heads) Bastion, Maastricht

The Five Heads (De Vief Kop) is a late 15th-century to early 16th-century roundel located in the Nieuwstad area of Maastricht. Alongside the nearby Haet ende Nijt roundel, it formed an extension of Maastricht's second city wall, originally built in the late 13th century. Today, both structures are designated national monuments and are prominent features of the Maastricht City Park.

Like many historical fortifications, the Five Heads was initially unnamed. Early references from 1528 describe it as ''the new tower in the Nieuwstad near the Maas''. The infamous name "The Five Heads" originates from a gruesome event in 1638, when, after the failed Betrayal of Maastricht, the severed heads of five conspirators were displayed here on a stake. The term "De Vijf Koppen" likely came into common use by the late 19th century, spurred by a Catholic movement seeking the rehabilitation of the so-called traitors.

The Five Heads saw restoration efforts in 2018, including work on the courtine wall, a replica of the 1638 wooden stake, and a gun carriage with a cast iron cannon. On March 24, 2019, part of the city wall collapsed due to moisture and erosion. Temporary supports were added, with restoration planned for mid-2023.

Architecturally, the Five Heads is slightly more than semi-circular, with a diameter of approximately eighteen meters. The structure is faced with Namur stone, beneath which lies a core of marlstone, with the majority of the roundel filled with rubble and earth. Unlike Haet ende Nijt, which features a sculpted frieze along its outer edge, the Five Heads does not possess such ornamentation. The eastern wall was repaired with bricks, and a Namur stone engraved with crossed cannon barrels and two bullets was embedded nearby. Additionally, three corbels can be seen on the southeast-facing side, which once supported a cage.

The Five Heads remains an integral part of Maastricht’s historical landscape, standing as both a reminder of its turbulent past and a key feature of its scenic city park.