Nijmegen Tourist Attractions
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Nijmegen, the largest town in Gelderland (though not its capital, which is Arnhem), with a Roman Catholic University, lies in the south of the province, only 7km/4.5mi from the German frontier on the left bank of the Waal, the southern branch of the Rhine as it approaches the sea.
Valkhof
On the north side of Nijmegen lies the Valkhof, an attractive park on a low hill above the Waal, on the site of an imperial stronghold built by Charlemagne in 768 which under the Saxon, Frankish and Hohenstaufen emperors was frequently the seat of the imperial court. Here the Empress Theophano, wife of Otto II, died in 991, and here in 1165 Henry VI, son of Frederick Barbarossa and Beatrice of Burgundy, was born. The name Valkhof is probably derived from the falcons which Charlemagne's son Louis the Pious kept here for hunting in the nearby imperial forest.Of the original stronghold there remain only the palatine chapel of St Nicholas (consecrated by Pope Leo III in 799), a building of great architectural interest, and, southeast of this, the ruins of a Romanesque apse (St Maartenskapel) which is thought to date from the time of Frederick Barbarossa (1155). From the chapel there is a fine view over the Waal plain.
Hunnerpark
To the east of the Valkhof, conspicuously situated at the north end of the Hunnerpark, is the Belvedere, an old 16th century watch-tower from which there are far-ranging views. From the Hunnerpark the Waalbrug, a massive bridge 700m/765yd long, crosses the Waal to the suburb of Lent, offering the best view of Nijmegen. On the far side of the river is the expressway to Arnhem. On the south side of the Hunnerpark is Keizer Traianusplein, a busy traffic intersection.
Grote Kerk or St Stevenskerk
The building of the Grote Kerk or St Stevenskerk began around 1260, and the first tower was built in 1307. Little remains from this early period. Around 1400 the nave was rebuilt, and this was followed by the magnificent choir with its ambulatory and ring of chapels, the aisled transepts, the Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher and the south doorway, all complete by around 1560. Beside the church is a square tower (1593) with an octagonal belfry (1604) and an 18th century carillon. The tower and the facade of the church were rebuilt after suffering severe damage during the Second World War; the interior of the church was restored in 1969. In the choir is the tomb (1512) of Catherine of Bourbon (d. 1469), wife of Duke Adolf of Gelderland. There are some fragments of wall painting in the burial chapel and ambulatory (16th C.). Other surviving features are part of the choir-stalls (1577), the pulpit (1639) and the organ (1773).
Stevenskerkhof
In Stevenskerkhof, only a few yards away from the church, are a number of handsome old houses, including the former canons' lodgings.
Latin School
On the south side of Grote Kerk or St Stevenskerk stands the Latin School (Latijnse School), built by the city architect Herman van Herengraves in 1544-45. The striking facade has recessed Gothic trefoil arches and Renaissance friezes. Between the first-floor windows are figures of the 12 Apostles and the text of the Ten Commandments.
Kerkboog
Between Stevenskerkhof and the Grote Markt is the Kerkboog, a Late Gothic double gateway (1545) with a Flemish Renaissance upper story of 1606. The gatehouse was once the meeting place of the doctors' guild.
Grote Markt
The triangular Grote Markt lies in the center of old Nijmegen. In the square is a statue of Mariken van Nieumeghen, the chief character in the 15th century mystery play of that name. According to legend Mariken, having entered into a league with the Devil, was fettered in iron rings but that when her period of penitence was over the rings sprang open of themselves. She is depicted holding the broken rings.
Weigh House
Adjoining the Kerkbook is the old Weigh House (Waag) and meat market, a handsome Renaissance building in red brick with black and red dormer windows and two arched doorways.
Town Hall
The Town Hall (Stadhuis) in Burchtstraat was constructed in 1554-55 by Herman van Herengraves. It was completely destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt in 1951-53. Only the old tapestries, which had been removed for restoration, escaped destruction. The fine figures of emperors, the heads over the windows and the medallions by Cornelis Sass of Utrecht were replaced by copies.
Rijksmuseum G. M. Kam
To the left, at Museum Kamstraat 45, is the Rijksmuseum G. M. Kam, which has an important collection of prehistoric and Roman antiquities, mostly from the Nijmegen area. The original collection was presented to the town in 1920 by Gerhard Marius Kam, an amateur archaeologist.
Commanderie van St Jan
To the north of the Grote Markt, at Franse Plaats 3, is the Commanderie van St Jan. Part of the building (ca. 1196) belonged in the Middle Ages to the Knights of St John. Since 1974 it has housed the Municipal Museum (Gemeentemuseum), with a collection covering the art and history of Nijmegen between 1000 and 1900.
Waalkade
The Waalkade has been developed since 1978 as an attractive riverfront promenade designed for recreation and entertainment, with numerous restaurants and cafes. The most prominent feature is a long building of white and brown marble.
Roman Remains of Ulpia Noviomagus
In the late 1970s, remains of the Roman settlement of Ulpia Noviomagus were discovered. A hypocaust which was excavated here can be seen on the ground floor.
Dutch National Cycle Museum
At Waalkade 107 is the Velorama or National Cycle Museum, with some 250 bicycles, from the "hobby-horse" to modern racing machines.
Biblical Open-Air Museum
Leave Nijmegen on the Groesbeekseweg, which runs southeast from Keizer Karelplein. The road continues along the edge of the woods and comes in 4km/2-.5mi to a side road on the left. 300m/330yd along this is the access road to the Biblical Open-Air Museum (Bijbels Openlucht Museum) at Profetenlaan 2, run by the Heilig-Land- Stichting (Holy Land Foundation), with reproductions of the Holy Places of the New Testament. When the museum was originally opened in 1911 it was primarily concerned with the religious aspects, but since its remodeling in 1970 the emphasis has moved to the authentic reproduction of everyday life in the late Hellenistic period in which Christ lived. In the conducted tour of the 45 hectare/110 acre site visitors are taken past nomad encampments, an early Palestinian village and the houses of the many different peoples of the period - Jews, Persians, Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, Assyrians. The exhibition room in the main building is devoted to 2,000 years of Biblical history. There is a good general view from Mount Calvary. Visitors can also travel round the site on a miniature railroad.
International Summer Festival
This annual week-long festival runs from mid to late July, emphasizing different cultures and traditions. Highlights include fireworks displays. Other events such as jazz, Dixieland and Latin concerts, dancing performances and street entertainment are also offered throughout the week.
Outsider Art (formerly Museum De Stadshof)
Collection Stadshof has been relocated to Outside Art.
Surroundings
Berg en Dal
Just 4km/2.5mi east of the Biblical Museum is Berg en Dal, an attractive summer resort situated on the crest of a hill, with extensive views.The surrounding forest is ideal for walking and sightseeing.
Africa Museum
At Postweg 6 is the Africa Museum, with African masks and sculpture, three African villages and a small zoo.
Duivelsberg
East of Berg en Dal, near the German frontier, rises the Duivelsberg (76m/249ft), above the Wijlermeer.
4-Day Walking Tour
Usually attracting over 30,000 walkers, this international festival concludes with a huge celebration throughout Nijmegen.
Footpaths
To the east of Nijmegen is a tract of beautiful rolling wooded country traversed by a number of roads and many footpaths.
Map of Nijmegen Attractions
Map - Nijmegen
