For most of its history, modern Kerkrade was part of the historic city of Herzogenrath. South Limburg was a constantly disputed territory between different duchies, and Herzogenrath passed from hand to hand repeatedly. The city was ruled for a long time by the duchy of Brabant, Spain, and later by the French. The Kingdom of the Netherlands finally determined its rights to Kerkrade in 1839.
In miniature Kerkrade, there are many attractions and entertainment centers that will be fascinating to visit with children. With the kids it is worth taking a walk around the GaiaZOO. This … Open
The traditional cuisine of Kerkrade is very simple and devoid of rare delicacies. The local gastronomy is based on fish and other types of seafood, meat, potatoes, dairy products, and … Open
An iconic historical site is the “Rolduc Abbey”, which was founded in the early 12th century. The monastery remained active until the 18th century; by that time it had a vast adjoining territory. The abbey owned several nearby coal mines, on which 350 employees worked. Despite numerous changes in the fate of the abbey, a unique 12th-century church, which is a vivid example of Masonic architecture, has survived on its territory. Currently, the historical building houses the catholic seminary, the building of the theological institute, as well as a conference hall.
Locals are known for their love for their hometown and historical traditions; they are very hardworking, caring about cleanliness and environment. Just take a walk along the city streets to … Open
At a short distance from the city center on Sint Hubertuslaan Street, there is a beautiful botanical garden, which was founded in 1938. Currently it occupies an area of about one and a half hectares. In this garden are represented plants of almost 200 different families. The exotic plants that were brought from distant Madagascar are especially valuable. A special greenhouse was planted in the garden for them.
The main historical symbol of Kerkrade is the wonderful Oud-Ehrenstein Castle. It was built in the 13th century on the banks of the Amstel River as a watchtower to protect an important trade … Open
In the city, there is a very beautiful concert hall “Rodahal”, which was built in 1993 specifically for the opening of the next music festival. Nowadays, interesting cultural events are regularly held in this concert hall.
One of the favorite recreation spots among visitors to Kerkrade is GaiaZOO located in the picturesque surroundings of the city. This is one of the most beautiful zoos in the Netherlands, … Open