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Roman Watchtower Heumensoord

Roman Watchtower Heumensoord

Recommended by 71 hikers out of 82

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Location: Heumen, Gelderland, Netherlands

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Tips

Zoe von Rambling Rocks

April 24, 2025

Where you are standing now, a Roman watchtower once towered. This third-century structure was part of a chain along the imperial border and served as a rapid communications route using torches and flags. Today, the remains and the protected archaeological site invite visitors to experience Roman history firsthand.

Translated by Google •

Miranda 🥾 TriA© / Johnny

June 2, 2025

Text:

Exciting History

NL

In the middle of Heumensoord, the remains of a Roman guard post from the 3rd century were found. The post fulfilled an important function in the new defense strategy of the Romans.

Romans and Batavians

Around the beginning of the era, the Romans settled in the Rivierengebied. Here, a special mix of Roman and Batavian culture developed. The Romans built roads, aqueducts, villas), temples, army camps and even a complete city, Noviomagus

Scan the QR code for an audio story locatle or visit spgs.nl

Translated by Google •

June 2, 2025

Text:

Roman watchtower

From the third century onwards, the Romans were increasingly troubled by intrusive Frankish peoples at the border. The Romans therefore concentrated their troops further inland, such as in Cuijk. In the event of imminent danger at the border, they could quickly pass on messages thanks to a chain of guard posts. This was done with the help of torches and flags. This wooden guard post in Heumensoord was approximately 20 x 20 metres and covered with roof tiles. A lookout tower of approximately eight metres high stood at the centre. In the fourth century, the guard post was set on fire and replaced by a slightly smaller one. The terrain of the guard post has been covered with mesh and sand to protect it from treasure hunters. The canals have been made visible again in the landscape.

Strategic location

The guard post was located on the important road from Nijmegen to Maastricht and Tongeren, the Roman predecessor of the A73. The road followed a straight line from Nijmegen to the Maas crossing at Mook. The g The sloping terrain made the location ideal: from the watchtower you could see both the late Roman fort of Nijmegen (on the Valkhof) and that of Cuijk. The road itself has also been found: it was six metres wide with ditches on either side. It is remarkable that the Romans did not give this important road an artificial surface of stone or gravel. Apparently the soil here was already firm enough

Drinking water

Even in prehistoric times, the availability of water was an important reason for the establishment of the first farming communities. The Romans also made use of this when they founded a military camp on the higher grounds. There were natural springs here, fed by groundwater that spontaneously surfaced in springs and streams on the Nijmegen moraine. This groundwater is still used as drinking water today. At the location where the Romans used to keep watch, drinking water company "Vitens" now extracts water from the ground via wells. The groundwater is suitable for drinking water after simple purification. The groundwater is, however, vulnerable to contamination. It is therefore important that we protect these sources well.

Want to know more about groundwater protection?

Visit beschermjedrinkwater.nl

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Elevation 20 m

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Monday 13 October

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Take Me There

Location: Heumen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Roman Watchtower Heumensoord

1. Heathland – Malden Glider Airfield loop from Grootstal

2. Theetuin De Eikenhorst – Heathland Ponds with Trees loop from Brakkenstein

3. Rare Bracket Fungi – Place where impressive Scottish Highlander roam loop from Mook-Molenhoek

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