Page 349 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

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the first millennium BC, while the
Romans had a fort here from 12
BC. In AD 104, the emperor
Trajan granted trading rights to a
new settlement west of present-
day Valkhof. The town’s ancient
name of Ulpia Noviomagus
Batavorum is presumably also
from this time.
Nijmegen owes its existence
to its strategic position on the
river Waal. A fort has stood here
since early times, and even in
World War II, the town was a
significant battle scene. The most
important sights include the Nijmegen’s Waag, dating from 1612
Valkhof, with its new museum,
which stands on the spot where from the earliest “hobby horse”- the Waalpark. Featuring around
the fort of the Batavians, Roman type bikes that date back to 100 acts, international cutting-
engineering works and, later, 1817. The upstairs room is edge rock and pop bands play
one of Charlemagne’s palaces devoted to the bicycle’s modern alongside DJs and world
stood. All that remains of the incarnation, with beautifully musicians. There are also
palace which was rebuilt by shiny examples of racers, workshops on such activities as
Frederick Barbarossa is the recumbants and everyday bikes. Latin music and dancing.
St Maartenskapel from 1155 Star of the show, however, is
and the St Nicolaaskapel, one of the bicycle that belonged to E Museum Het Valkhof
the earliest stone buildings in all Queen Wilhelmina in the Kelfkensbos 59, Nijmegen.
of Holland. This chapel (part of 1940s and 1950s. Tel 024-3608805. Open 10am–5pm
which dates back to 1030) is a Nijmegen is perhaps best Tue–Sun. Closed 25 Dec. &
rare example of Byzantine known for its annual four-day - =
architecture in northern Europe. rambling meet, the Vier daagse, E Velorama National
Other noteworthy buildings in which tens of thousands of Bicycle Museum
include the St Stevenskerk, the ramblers take part. With its Waalkade 107. Tel 024-3225851.
construction of which began in many cafés, the town also has a Open 10am–5pm Mon–Sat,
1254, the Waag (weigh house) vibrant nightlife. 11am–5pm Sun. Closed 1 Jan, 25 Dec.
and the Kronenburgerpark, with Each July, de-Affaire, a
the remnants of fortifications week-long festival of music, Environs
(the Kruittoren tower). accompanies the Vierdaagse Close to Nijmegen is the
A fascinating insight into the long-distance marches (see box). Ooypolder, a beautiful, relaxing
Dutch national obsession with Events take place all over town, oasis for nature lovers. Here you
all things two-wheeled can be but many are focused around can cycle and walk.
found at Velorama, the bike
museum. Spread over two
floors, there are examples from Nijmegen’s Four Days Marches
the entire history of cycling, In mid-July thousands of people from all around the Netherlands
(and beyond) descend on the city to take part in the annual
De Vierdaagse, the Four Days
Marches. This is a series of hikes in
and around Nijmegen, divided into
daily legs of 30 km (20 miles) to 50
km (30 miles). The walks began in
1909 as a military exercise for
soldiers, who marched from
Nijmegen’s garrison to Breda’s,
where they participated in a sports
tournament. In that year, 309 soldiers
completed the 150 km route. After a
few years, civilians began to join in,
until the march became a highlight
of the national sporting calendar. In
recent years, the number of
participants has topped 45,000.
Those who complete the walk Walkers tackling the Four Days
Ruins of the Valkhof in Nijmegen, one of receive a commemorative medal. Marches
the oldest towns in Holland

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