Nijmegen: The Oldest Town in the Netherlands
Sometimes it is good to visit the neighbors, to see what they are doing. Our reporter ended up in Nijmegen. He found a beautiful university town with a lot of history, bike bridges and a beach at the Waal river.
Nijmegen, nestled in the Netherlands, is widely regarded as the oldest town in the country. Located approximately 20 minutes from the Netherlands border, this quaint city boasts a rich history and vibrant culture. Visitors can easily reach Nijmegen by following the Autobahn A2 from Berlin to various cities, such as Hanover, Bielefeld, and Dortmund, before taking the A57 towards "Nederland" sign.
Upon arrival, the city-center is a pedestrian zone, punctuated by a charming aqueduct. Nearby, the medieval marketplace and the stunning Renaissance-style City Hall, erected in 1555 and featuring a torture chamber, are noteworthy attractions. Saint Stephen’s Church, dating back to 1273, dominates the cityscape, marking it as one of the must-see sights in Nijmegen.
Established in 19 BC by the Romans as a military base, the town progressed to a civilian settlement after 120 years. In 2005, Nijmegen celebrated its 2000th anniversary, solidifying its position as an ancient settlement. Its origins trace back to the Romans' arrival at the Waal river, followed by its transformation into a trading post about 1,000 years ago.
Throughout the centuries, Nijmegen has been conquered by various rulers and armies before finally becoming part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815. Today, the city is home to the Radboud Universiteit, a university founded in 1923 and elevated to its current status in 2004. With a diverse student body from around the globe, Nijmegen continues to foster a rich academic environment.
Nijmegen's residential areas exude warmth, particularly the charming red-brick houses scattered throughout the city. The town’s public transport system is well-organized, and the pedestrian zone features barriers that allow delivery vans to enter during designated times. An array of local delicacies, such as Gouda cheese and apple pie, can be found in the city center.
A remarkable aspect of Nijmegen is its bicycle-friendly infrastructure, earning the city the "Best Dutch Bicycle Town" award multiple times. The Via Romana long-distance bicycle highway traverses through Nijmegen, and the city's infrastructure caters to cyclists with exceptional facilities. Centrally located bike parking is abundant, with commuters searching for their bicycles often for half an hour due to the sheer volume of them in the city.
Written by urgent.news from The Berlin Spectator's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
