Once one of the most important coal mining cities in the Netherlands, Heerlen (population 244181; offical statistics 2005)  now forms  part of Parkstad Limburg together with the towns of Kerkrade, Landgraaf, Brunssum, Simpelveld, Voerendaal...

Once one of the most important coal mining cities in the Netherlands, Heerlen (population 244181; offical statistics 2005)  now forms  part of Parkstad Limburg together with the towns of Kerkrade, Landgraaf, Brunssum, Simpelveld, Voerendaal and Onderbanken.

Heerlen is most famous for the Glaspaleis (glass palance) a steel and glass building originally constructed as a store. Designed by local architect Frits P. J. Peutz (1896-1974) based on the Les Grands Magasins Decré in building in Nantes, France, a glass building in art déco style, designed by Henri Sauvage (1873-1932), it was years ahead of its time. The building was completely restored in 2000 and re-opened its doors in 2003 as a cultural center. Today it is still a breathtaking sight; a glass frame around concrete pillars makes the building almost transparent. In 2005 it was chosen as one of the 1000 most important building from the 20th century by the Union Internationale des Architectes.

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