Roermond
Bustling heart of Midden-Limburg
Roermond was voted best city 2009-2011 in the category medium-sized cities. Also in 2010 Roermond was voted Best town of Limburg. The municipality of Roermond consists of the city of Roermond and several satellite villages of Swalmen, Herten, Merum, Ool, Boukoul, Asselt and Asenray. The history of Roermond goes back to Roman times. Roermond was capital of the Gelderland Upper Quarter and joined as a trading town on the Hanseatic League.
Churches, the cathedral and a lot of other culture
Roermond has been a bishops city since 1559. In the center there are many historic churches, including St. Christoffel Cathedral. On regular days, the 86 meters high tower can be climbed, and you have a wonderful view over the city, the Meuse and the water sports area of Maasplassen. The Carolus Chapel, originally part of the medieval Carthusian monastery has a rich Austrian Rococo ceiling in 1750 style. The OLV Munster Church is the only surviving building of the in 1218 founded Munster Abbey. The mausoleum of Count Gerard van Gelre and his wife Margaretha van Brabant is the oldest monument in Europe where a couple is shown.
Squares in the center of Roermond
On the Munster Square you can find a statue of Dr. Cuypers. The bandstand in the square is still used for outdoor concerts. Since 2009 you can find a miniature of this kiosk and the City Hall in Madurodam! From a terrace on the car-free market you can overlook the City Hall, with The Carrilon on the tower wich boasts figures of life-size dolls around the tower which personify the history of Roermond.
Roermond: City of artists
Glazier Joep Nicolas, painter Henry Luyten and architect Pierre Cuypers were artists born and raised in Roermond. Cuypers is considered by many the most important Dutch architect of the nineteenth century and he meant a lot to his own city. At the Old Cemetery of Roermond you can find the restored grave of Cuypers.
Shopping in many variations
Roermond is a great shopping town, and voted Best City 2009-2011. From boutiques in historic buildings to the Designer Outlet Centre that attracts more than five million fashion-conscious bargain hunters. The choice of shops of Roermond has been extended by Retail Park Roermond and the Home and Garden Boulevard: a large-scale shopping center along the (Motorway)A73. The shops in Roermond are open every Sunday.
Burgundian Roermond
There are theaters and cinemas in Roermond, which offer a varied weekly program. Going out for dinner in Roermond is no problem at all. Enjoy the Roermond specialties like the “Christoffel” beer, “Christoffel” Pie and Cuypers Cake. Dine sumptuously in one of the many cozy cafes and restaurants in the city. Events like the “Bevrijdingsfestival”(Liberation Festival), Taptoe, Limburg Festival and “Sjommelmert”(2 day big flea market) attract many interested people to Roermond.
Water Sports
In the heart of the province of Limburg lies an extensive water recreation area, the Maasplassen. Over 3000 hectares of various sized lakes are joined by the Meuse and form a perfect decor for watersports and nature lovers. You will learn about the limitless possibilities of todays water lovers such as marinas, surfing and swimming beaches, excellent fishing spots and cozy lakeside campsites. From the city of Roermond several boat trips are available.
Experience nature
The municipality of Roermond is an excellent starting point for a stroll through the National Park De Meinweg, the Swalmdal, Leudal and the Ruhr valley. In all these areas you can find signposted walks. You can wander endlessly, but you won’t get lost. In the parish of Swalmen nature and culture lovers are well catered for. Swalmen has an attractive rural character with many forests, very similar to the Brüggener Elmpterwald in Germany. Other beautiful landscapes are the “Maas- en Swalmdal” and the nature area Groenewoud. The surrounding forests of Swalmen are rich in flora and fauna, and in spring you can see the asparagus beds, which are so typical of this part of Limburg! Around Swalmen there are excellent cycling, hiking and horse riding trails available.
Swalmen
Swalmen, Asselt and Boukoul lie between the Meuse and Germany, and are rich in natural beauty. The meandering river Swalm traverses the whole area, and flows into the Meuse at Asselt. Swalmen has many state and local monuments. Hillenraad Castle is situated in the woods of Boukoul and is one of the most beautiful Water Castles of Limburg. In the church village of Asselt (listed village) lies the Romanesque style Dionysius Church that was restored by Cuypers and holds works by Joep Nicolas. Opposite the church you find the Folkore and Archaeological Museum, housed in a former baking and carriage house. In the center of Swalmen is a good range of shops and restaurants and on the cozy Market Square you can enjoy real local specialties!
Watch the highlights of the tourist attractions of the municipality of Roermond.