Cycling through the Roman past of South Limburg

The route starts in Maastricht. Here the Via Belgica used to cross the Maas with the only bridge in the area. A settlement and later a fort arose around the bridge, the foundations of Maastricht as we know the city today. Also visit the Roman temple in the basement of Hotel Derlon or download the MaastrichtAR app.

The route then takes you to Valkenburg aan de Geul. Here, at the Roman Catacombs, the Via Belgica was excavated. The Catacombs in the city provide an insight into the way people were buried in Roman times. But the remains of a Roman guard post (on the Goudsberg) that could look out for miles over the South Limburg countryside have also been found here.

At Villa de Proosdij you experience life as it was in Roman times. In this historic villa you can walk through Roman gardens, enjoy Roman dishes and meet the ancient Roman chicken.

In the Roman Catacombs in Valkenburg you will become acquainted with a different side of Roman times. Here, ancient crypts from Rome have been recreated with beautiful frescoes.

Then you cycle towards Heerlen. In the center of Heerlen you will find the largest Dutch archaeological monument, the Thermenmuseum. In Roman times there was a large bathhouse on this site at the intersection of the Via Belgica with a north-south route. During the excavations in this area, several Roman residents of Heerlen were found, such as an ophthalmologist and a potter. All finds are displayed in the museum. In addition to this museum, you can also visit the city archives where you can find a lot of information about the Romans in South Limburg.

Heerlen is currently working hard on developing a true Roman Quarter. From Heerlen you can consider deviating from the cycle route to visit Kerkrade, Simpelveld and Bocholtz. These villages have the high Roman villa density. You can also get acquainted with Villa Rolduc (Kerkrade), the sarcophagus of Bocholtz and the Lady of Simpelveld.

You cycle past Eygelshoven towards the end point of this cycle tour, the village of Rimburg, where you will find an old street village, or a vicus. In Rimburg you will find another archaeological find, a grave of a Roman rich woman.
Click here for more information about this cycle route.

You can find more information about the cycle route here .

If you have any comments about the route, you can report them via routepunt@visitzuidlimburg.nl.

A complete cycling junction map with all South Limburg junctions in this region can easily be ordered via www.visitzuidlimburg.nl/webshop.