Roermond Revealed: A Guide to the Old Town’s Unexpected Delights

Roermond is a city of secrets, from its concealed riverside walkways and hidden parks, to unexpected church entrances. But its treasures are reserved for those who know where to look. On this walking tour, I’ll show you how to spot them, and guide you through the city’s lesser-known paths while seamlessly weaving in well-known attractions.

The tour starts at Stationsplein Roermond, in the heart of the city. From there, I’ll show you the Voormalige Teekenschool (a drawing school for useful and visual arts) designed by Pierre Cuypers, one of Roermond’s most celebrated architects. Along the way, you’ll see several of his famous designs and hear their stories. As you walk by Carolus Chapel (Caroluskapel), you’ll hear about the great city fires that destroyed almost two-thirds of the city center in the 15 and 1600s. I’ll show you the Rattentoren, a tower where witches were locked up and sentenced to be burned at the stake. You’ll see the Roer, the river that gives the city its name, before making your way to the Cathedral’s gardens (Munstertuin), and the historical Royal Theatre. The tour follows a circular route, so you’ll return to the starting point having experienced a few surprises around Roermond’s finest corners.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Find out how St. Christopher's Cathedral (Sint-Christoffelkathedraal) was used as a watchtower in World War Two
• Cross the Steenen of Maria Theresia Brug, the famous bridge that was donated to the city by the Archduchess of Austria in 1771
• Hear how Pierre Cuypers spearheaded the renovations of the Minderbroederskerk (Friars Minor Church)
• Discover how the Voorstad Sint Jacob became one of the most fashionable areas in Roermond, after playing host to poor fishermen in times past
• See the oldest church in Roermond, the Munsterkerk
• Take a photo at the Herdenkingsfontein Vrouwen van Roermond, a beautiful fountain dedicated to the women of Roermond in memory of their bravery during the Second World War

This tour will take about an hour if you don’t stop along the way. There are plenty of restaurants along the way that offer traditional Dutch cuisine as well as international dishes, so you’ll always find something to satisfy your appetite.

By the end of this tour, you’ll have a new appreciation for Roermond and its treasures. You’ll also see that Roermond is a city where past and present embrace one another, and every corner reveals a new surprise.