THE NETHERLANDS : NIJMEGEN
The city of Nijmegen counts about 150.000 inhabitants. It lies in the
Dutch province of Gelderland, on the borders of the river Waal. Nijmegen is a
Roman foundation. Some 2000 years ago Emperor Trajan built a settlement
here as a camp to protect the border of the Roman Empire.
The name of the settlement was "Novio Magus". The Roman past of Nijmegen
is preserved at the Nijmegen Museum, where one can find hundreds of
Roman artefacts.
Nijmegen has a 13th-century church (the
Groote Kerk), a 16th-century town hall, a 17th-century weighhouse (De
Waag). Nijmegen was also a Frankish city in the
early Middle Ages. In the 8th century Charlemagne had a palace built on
the hill where now the Valkhof park is situated. All that is left
today, are ruins of the chapels that were part of the construction.
Apart from the rich history of the city, there are other reasons
which make Nijmegen well worth visiting. You can stroll the winding
streets or go shopping in the city centre. The city is build on seven
hills overlooking the river Waal
It is the main city of the
(catholic) South of Holland and many religious institutions are situated
here, including the Catholic University of Nijmegen. You can experience
the cosy atmosphere that is so characteristic of Nijmegen at the many
outdoor cafes. The centre of the city is one of the liveliest in the
Netherlands.
The city is known in French as Nimègue and in German as Nimwegen
History of Nijmegen
The city of Nijmegen is of Roman origin
(‘Noviomagus’ meaning ‘new market’) and is one of the oldest in the
Netherlands. It is close to the German border and on the bank of the river Waal (a
branch of the Rhine).
Around the beginning of our era the
Batavians lived in the land between the rivers Maas and Waal. The
Romans settled here because of the good strategic view of the enemy
territory across the river.
They founded a settlement on a hill on the
bank of the river Waal at the same spot where now the Valkhofpark is.
The settlement's name was Oppidum Batavorum. During the Batavian uprise
in the year 69 the Batavians destroyed the settlement which had become a
growing symbol of Roman power, Noviomagus. After the rebellion, the
Romans built a new camp (castra) on the Hunerberg and soon merchants,
civilians and inn keepers joined them.
For similar strategic reasons, kings and
other rulers chose Nijmegen as their place of residence, and until a
century ago Nijmegen was a fortified town, its surroundings being the
scene of fierce battles.The
rights of the Roman army settlements became property of Frankish kings.
This is how Charlemagne (8th century) became the owner of the 'Fort of
Nijmegen', the very spot where he later raised his 'palts' (palace).
As from the 10th century the city quickly grew. The river was the main
source of the flowering business and Nijmegen became an important place
of residence for the ruling kings.
Emperor Frederic Barbarossa built on and around the neglected palace of
Charlemagne and made it a huge stronghold. From this castle the only
remains are the absis of the chapel of St. Martin. In Nijmegen it is
known as 'the Barbarossa ruin" and can be seen in the Valkhof Park.
The castle ‘Valkhof’, the highest point in the city and erected by
Charlemagne, overlooks the river where the typically Dutch polder
landscape and rolling hills provide a beautiful view.
In 1579 the city subscribed to the Union
of Utrecht, formed as a defensive measure against Philip II of Spain.
The treaties of Nijmegen (1678–79), which ended the Dutch War (1672–78)
of Louis XIV of France, were signed there.
In 1879 the old city walls were torn down
since they were an increasing handicap to the city’s prosperity. A
period of spectacular growth ensued, and several decades later the
railway bridge across the Waal was constructed and gas, electricity and
water mains were installed in the city.
The Second World War is a black page in Nijmegen’s history. On 22
February 1944, the Allied forces bombed the city by mistake and 800
people died. But a few months later Nijmegen was liberated thanks to the
well-known Operation Market Garden, which set the southern part of the
Netherlands free on 17 September 1944. In the post-war period, much was
done to rebuild the city. A new city centre arose in which the remaining
monuments of the rich history of Nijmegen occupy a special position.
