Saturday, August 6, 2016

Nijmegen Oldest town in The Netherlands

We went by train from Amsterdam to the oldest town in the country. Nijmegen was largely destroyed in WWII but what remains is very interesting. We are travelling on again tomorrow but loved the contrasts to be found. Old and new around every corner.

We are at a B&B on the main pedestrian street ewith lots of restaurants. This town has the most pubs per head of population of any place in The Netherlands!


                                              Gail outside the Waag or historic weigh house

Charlemagne built a fortress at this key place on the Waal River but little remains today.


       A section that remains. The Barbarossa ruins once a part of a chapel at the castle

   
             This section had been restored. The St. Nicolas Kapel was beautiful inside


                           Later we visited a museum that had a painting of the castle.


The view down to the River Waal with a bridge design that you might recognise!

We moved on to the Valkol Museum. A stunning modern design with everything from pre Roman remains, lots on the Roman period and modern displays of the famous four day walk, the worlds largest, and modern art.


                                                        Detail of a small Roman bronze

                                               
                                                          A gold Roman ring
                                                         
   
                                                                   Roman column


         
                                          Modern art was well represented in the collection

The streets also had very modern sections and interesting building design.



Of course we needed to research the historic hotel! The De Blaauwe Hand dates from the 1500's and we received a warm welcome.


                                                                      Rob outside


                                                         Inside with the barman


                                                  Rob enjoying a trappist beer


                                                    We made it back to the B&B

1 comment:

Amanda said...

Another really interesting place, but always time for a quick beer stop I see! :)