"Nijmegen, residence of ancient emperors" Top 5 Page for this destination Nijmegen by Pavlik_NL

Nijmegen Travel Guide: 413 reviews and 790 photos

Symbol of Nijmegen, the bridge and the weapon

Noviomagus, oldest town of The Netherlands

Nijmegen, 15 kilometres South of my hometown Arnhem is the oldest town in The Netherlands. Already in the year 111 a.D. Roman emperor Trajanus gave the town it's cityrights and on the hill besides the Waalbridge the remainders of the Roman fortress can still be visited. In those times the name was Noviomagus, which ment "New Roads".

However, Trajanus was not the only emperor that had a love for Nijmegen. It was with emperor Karl the Great that the town blossomed and walking the narrow allies that raise up from the Waalkade (kade=kay) many old houses remained from these early medieval times. Especially when one stands on the old Market, the West and Southside of the beautiful square are wonderful (see pictures).

Old town, new university

Nijmegen citycentre contains many monuments

Nijmegen is old, yet also new. It is a universitytown with a relatively young population. The university however is not that old as some others within the Netherlands. It started out in 1923 under Catholic regime. Because of the many students it is the town with the highest terrace-density (amount of terrace-chairs towards the total amount of inhabitants). All over the citycentre caf?s and bars as well as restaurants and lunchrooms have their cosy places where people chat, mingle and drink.

Most Northern town of the South

Gateway from the South ... to the North

Nijmegen and it's inhabitants have a love/hate relationship with Arnhem (and vice versa). Competitors as well as sister and brother. The cityconcept is practically opposit. Both are build on a main river, that actually is the same one (the river "Waal" is the main-branch of the "Rijn"=Rhine). Bridges dominate the success, but in Nijmegen the hills are situated South of the river and in Arnhem that is North. Opposit lay the flat riverlands. The Netherlands are in geografical and cultural way devided strongly by the rivers, for example: Catholic South, Protestant North. This made the nicknames of both towns. Nijmegen is sometimes called the most Northern of the South. Arnhem has the name to be the most Southern of North. Quiet different towns, yet ... related closely.

Intro Updated Nov 15, 2003
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Reviews (44)

Frank Boeijen and his "groep" (band) - Nijmegen

Frank Boeijen (Groep), music from... Local Customs (6)

The brooke through in the eighties during the Dutch New Wave period (together with Doe Maar and Toontje Lager). Dutch... more travel advice

Irina and me trying hard to get the tango right - Nijmegen

Passionate Argentinian tango's through... Nightlife (3)

Through Sarah from Brussel (Ptitetoile) I got to know this place. She was passionately telling about her dancing the... more travel advice

The weapon of the town Nijmegen Local Customs (6)

With a large resemblance to the cityweapon of Arnhem, Nijmegen too has a double headed eagle in it's city weapon. A... more travel advice

The round defensive tower, typical for a "Rondeel" - Nijmegen

Expositions at the "Stratemakers"-tower Things to Do (15)

Hidden for various centuries in between the houses, even being a part of a few, one of the few remaining Bastion-towers... more travel advice

Shopping (2)
See All The new shoppingstreet of Nijmegen
Transportation (4)
See All Public transport in and around Nijmegen
Warnings and Dangers (1)
Parkingtroubles (even with little money)
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Travelogues (1)

Written Nov 15, 2003

4 photos

Nijmegen pictures, tips for the surroundings

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Comments (13)

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Pijlmans Apr 27, 2012 at 10:52 AM

Thanks for your nice reviews of Nijmegen..We will visit this weekend :-)
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RoscoeGregg Oct 25, 2009 at 6:39 AM

I love bikes and cannot wait to see this. They are a liberating force for human culture. Thanks Happy Trails
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mary2u99 Oct 9, 2006 at 12:17 AM

Beautiful page:-) I love picture of the river.
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Waalewiener Feb 15, 2005 at 9:17 AM

Hallo Paul howdyy Very nice page of the great city of Nijmegen ,a lot of history in this City Paul and yes of course de Vierdaagse . Thans for showing us the City and giving us so much helpful information Paul Huggss For Ilja & Irina Paul
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danitsja_nl Jan 28, 2005 at 1:49 AM

Let me know when you are around again.... gni gni gni.
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roamer61 Oct 4, 2004 at 11:31 AM

Wonderful page. Good info and nice pics to boot.
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egonwegh Apr 3, 2004 at 8:50 AM

Well done! Nice Nijmegen pictures, Pavlik - some of them apparently made in places that even local people rarely visit ...
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huib-jose Dec 23, 2003 at 4:29 AM

Great town and the oldest! Yes, your collaegue does know where to live, hey! Volgende keer laat ik je meer zien, okee! Groetjes.
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matcrazy1 Nov 20, 2003 at 1:27 PM

Beautiful page on the oldest town within The Netherlands! Excellent pics and very, very interesting info! Bicycle museum? Hehe, I would visit it, I think.
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truus_s Nov 15, 2003 at 6:27 AM

Mooie page!!Ik was er deze week nog,maar je hebt meer gezien dan ik..Moet ik nog weer terug.. hahaha