Over a period of 2000 years, the city of Nijmegen has known many forms. Its location on the Waal river, between hills and woods, means that it has always been an attractive place to settle. The Romans had their army camps here and Charlemagne built a palace on the Valkhof. Nijmegen made a name for itself as a trading city; but was also regularly in the line of fire during wars, for the last time during World War II when the centre was destroyed by bomb attacks.
Roman City & Noviomagus
After the rebellion, the Romans built a new military base, or castra, on the Hunerberg hill. The base soon attracted traders, innkeepers and citizens; after all there was always money to be earned near a camp base. In a lower area, a real civilian settlement emerged.
In 104 A.D., Emperor Marcus Ulpius Traianus granted the settlement market rights. During that time the name 'Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum' also emerged which means ‘Ulpian New market in the land of the Batavians’. Due to its favourable location, Noviomagus grew to become a large urban settlement with approximately 5000 inhabitants.
Noviomagus
Around the year of our Lord, the Batavians lived in the Land van Maas en Waal. During the time of Julius Caesar, the advancing Roman army had already set up a wooden army camp on the Hunerberg hill in Nijmegen which accommodated two legions. Later, the Romans set up the present day Valkhof, on the hill on the Waal, a settlement which was called 'Oppidum Batavorum'. During the Batavian rebellion of 69 A.D., the Batavians destroyed this settlement, which had become a symbol of the growing Roman power.
Nijmegen, a city of museums
The past and present are inextricably intertwined in Nijmegen, which can be seen from the wide range of museums in our city. Of course, the Roman roots of Nijmegen are clearly reflected, but there is also room for, among other things, the history of facts of nature. There are various museums which you can visit in Nijmegen, all of them well worth seeing. In addition, in the direct vicinity, there are three special museums, where time stands still, transporting you back to a different culture or a different era.
The Valkhof Museum
The Valkhof Museum houses permanent collections of Archeology, Ancient Art and Modern Art. It also has an extensive, specialized library with an accompanying reading room, where you can go to read about the backgrounds to the various different collections. In addition to its own permanent collection, the Valkhof Museusm organizes a large, temporary exhibition twice a year. In recent years, Jan Toorop, the brothers Van Limburg, The Last Hours of Herculaneum, and Luxury and Decadence attracted a great many visitors.
Valkhof Museum is opened from Tuesday to Friday, from 10 am to 5 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon to 5 pm. Valkhof Museum, Kelfkensbog 59 in Nijmegen Tel. +31 (0)24 – 360 88 05 www.museumhetvalkhof.nl
Africa Museum
This beautiful museum offers an attractive combination of both an indoor museum with an impressive collection and an outdoor museum with a strong educational and recreational character. With its inspiring presentations and special activities, the aim of the Africa Museum is to acquaint its visitors with the riches of African cultures.
The Africa Museum is opened from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. Africa Museum, Postweg 6 in Berg en Dal Tel. +31 (0)24 – 684 72 72 www.afrikamuseum.nl
Orientalis Museum park
Orientalis Museum park offers a modern look at three religions which have determined the identity of present-day Europe: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Orientalis shows that there is more to the familiar fields of tension between these three religions: their collective origin, their divided history, related traditions, stories and rituals. Orientalis Museum park concentrates on the large issues of today, and stimulates and inspires. Young and old can also enjoy the nature, unique architecture and hospitable restaurants here. At Orientalis Museum park, recreation and education go hand in hand.
Orientalis Museum park is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Orientalis Museum park, Profetenlaan 2 in Heilig Landstichting. Tel. +31 (0)24 – 382 31 10 www.museumparkorientalis.nl
Burgers' Zoo
Burgers' Zoo is a new type of zoo, 45 hectares' large. In Burgers' Bush, an indoor tropical rainforest of one and half hectares, there are hundreds of animals living free amongst thousands of tropical plants. Burgers' Desert is a rock desert with giant cacti and exotic desert animals. In Burgers' Ocean, you can make a 'dry' dive in the tropical seas of South East Asia, where coral, colourful coral fish, sharks and rays live. Burgers' Safari offers an East African savanna with herds of zebras, giraffes, anitlopes and unicorns, as well as lions and cheetahs.
Burgers' Zoo is open daily in the summer season from 9 am to 7 pm and in the winter season from 9 am to 5 pm. Burgers' Zoo, Antoon van Hooffplein 1 in Nijmegen Tel. +31(0)26 – 442 45 34 www.burgerszoo.nl
Velorama
The National Cycling Museum Velorama houses a collection of more than two hundred and fifty different bicycles, from the first hobbyhorse to the areodynamic reclining bicycle. Velorama also offers its visitors a precious collections of accessories, such as candle lantarns, tax plates and enamel advertizing boards. Not a single development in the history of the bicycle has been left out. The museum is housed in an historic building where a part of the ancient Stratenmakerstoren tower can also be seen.
Velorama is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and on Sundays and public holidays from 11 am to 5 pm. Velorama, Walkade 107 in Nijmegen Tel. +31 (0)24 – 322 58 51 www.velorama.nl
Nature museum
The Nijmegen Nature museum is a regional museum, depicting the geological history of the landscape in and around Nijmegen, with permanent exhibitions of ‘Het Rijk te Kijk’. Another aim of the museum is to increase the interest of the general public in nature.
The nature museum is open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm. The musuem is closed on Saturdays. Nijmegen Nature museum, Gerard Noodstraat 121 in Nijmegen. Tel. 024 – 329 70 70 www.natuurmuseum.nl
Stratenmakerstoren tower
The Stratenmakerstoren (Paviour's tower) is a unique fortified tower on the Waalkade, dating from the beginning of the 16th century. In the corridors below, cannons were at the ready to defend the nearby city gateway, ‘De Veerpoort'. Visitors can enjoy the varying, cultural-historical exhibitions which bring past and present together in a challenging way. In addition, everyone can have a look in the archeological kitchen and see how numerious historic findings have been listed and restored.
The Stratenmakerstoren is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. De Stratenmakerstoren, Waalkade 83-84 in Nijmegen Tel. +31 (0)24 – 323 86 90 www.stratenmakerstoren.nl
