Not far from Rotterdam, on the bank of the picturesque Waal River, tourists can visit a beautiful Dutch city called Nijmegen. This is a peaceful and serene old city with an incredibly calm atmosphere. Don’t be surprised to see ducks that freely walk on the streets of Nijmegen. It is not rare to see them here. Local people enjoy a steady, unhurried lifestyle. They never hurry anywhere, relaxingly walking on local streets, and smile to even unknown people. There is one more distinctive feature of this settlement – the weather is usually warm in Nijmegen, which is not typical for the Netherlands. During the Roman Empire period, there was a military camp in the valley of the Waal River. Later, a settlement named Batavorum appeared near the fortification. However, this settlement didn’t exist for a long time and was ruined during a battle. Soon after that, the settlement was rebuilt. The town started developing quickly, engaging itself in international trade with other countries. In 1230, the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II granted the settlement the city status and rights. Seventeen years later, Nijmegen became a part of the Guelders County. During several centuries, the city fought with the Spanish. During the reign of Louis XIV, the French occupied this Dutch city. Nijmegen remained the capital of Gelderland until 1794. However, when the French established their authority in the city, the capital was moved to Arnhem. During the next twenty-four years, the
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When it comes to historic landmarks of the Netherlands, breath-taking medieval castles must be mentioned first. There is an interesting legend about Radbound Castle that was built in the 13th century in order to protect the border with Friesland. During several centuries the castle was an irreplaceable facility until a part of its towers and protective walls were destroyed in 1578. The stones obtained in such a way were used to build a sea dam. Muiderslot Castle was built in 1280 by the order of Count Florice V. In 1609, Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft became the owner of the castle and turned it into a venue for various theatre performances, concerts and balls. Once a severe fortress, Muiderslot Castle has turned into a luxurious palace. Nowadays, halls of the castle exhibit the collections of the State Museum. Travelers are also recommended to visit De Haar Castle, which original design is reminiscent of a traditional Bavarian palace. During its centuries-old history the castle was destroyed several times, but every time it was carefully restored afterwards. Nowadays, visitors are able to see the castle exactly the way it was restored by skilled masters of the 18th century.
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