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Natural Monuments

Plinius Spring

Natural Monuments

Plinius Spring

Highlight • Natural Monument

Plinius Spring

Recommended by 32 hikers out of 33

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Location: South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Plinius Spring

4.4

(5)

hikers

1. Demerpad Nature Trail – Church of 's Herenelderen loop from Tongeren

21.0km

05:29

150m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

4.4

(14)

111

hikers

2. Castle of Betho – Plinius Spring loop from Henis

5.57km

01:27

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

5.0

(3)

hikers

3. Castle of Betho – Beukenberg Roman Aqueduct Walk loop from Paspoel

5.92km

01:32

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

February 28, 2023

The Pliniusbron or Pliniusfontein is a spring named after Plinius the Elder. This Roman encyclopedist mentioned a water spring in the area of the Tungri, a tribe in Gallia Belgica, in his Natural History (31.12):

"Near the Tungri there is a remarkable spring that tingles with many bubbles and tastes like rust, which you only notice when you have drunk from it. The water cleanses the body and cures the tertiary fever and the pain of kidney stones."

The spring became so famous that both the French king Louis XV and Napoleon came there to quench their thirst, but it was then forgotten.

However, the water from the spring is not 'tingling'. The carbonated springs of Spa do meet Plinius' description, and were also located within the Civitas Tungrorum. Another possibility is that he was referring to the medicinal waters of Aachen.

Source: nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliniusbron

Translated by Google •

An 🇧🇪

November 30, 2024

Near the chapel of Saint-Gilles lies the Pliniusbron. This is said to be the source that Plinius mentions in the De rerum natura lib.31, although it is not clear whether the reference refers to Tongeren or Spa. The original source was in a different place. It is mentioned in the 16th century by H. Thomas, De Tungribus et Eburonibus, by Andreas Bacci, physician to Pope Sixtus V, by Cardinal de Granvelle and François Mendoza, governor of Charles V. Also mentioned is Philips Gherinx, personal physician to Prince-Bishop Ernest of Bavaria, Description de la fontaine ferigineuse de Saint-Gilles près de Tungre, 1578. At the beginning of the 19th century, the idea was conceived to exploit the place as a spa; however, this venture was not successful. Source: inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/37426

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Informations

Elevation 120 m

Weather

Today

Friday 14 November

17°C

13°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

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Location: South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium

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Plinius Spring

1. Demerpad Nature Trail – Church of 's Herenelderen loop from Tongeren

2. Castle of Betho – Plinius Spring loop from Henis

3. Castle of Betho – Beukenberg Roman Aqueduct Walk loop from Paspoel

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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