Partner – Municipality Simpelveld
Simpelveld: Where Roman history takes shape in a new landscape park
Simpelveld carries an exceptionally rich Roman history. One of the most fascinating archaeological discoveries was made in December 1930, when a farmer, during excavation work on his property, came across a large sandstone burial chest. What was first thought to be an ordinary stone turned out to be a Roman casket of more than two metres long. Despite signs of looting, valuable grave goods were preserved, including gold jewellery, a silver mirror, and a glass bottle. At the bottom lay the cremated remains of a woman. Together with the casket of the ‘Lord of Bocholtz’, this discovery is one of the masterpieces that make the deep roots of the Roman villa landscape in this region tangible.
Partners in VIA VIA
It is no coincidence that such remarkable finds were made in and around Simpelveld. The municipality has long been known for its rich Roman past and will strengthen this historical identity from 2027 onward within VIA VIA. Simpelveld is currently working on the development of an archaeological landscape park stretching from Bocholtz in the Netherlands to Vetschau in Germany.
A new walking route will guide visitors through the ancient Roman villa landscape and offer a unique glimpse into the life that once unfolded here. The information centre at Hoeve Overhuizen serves as the starting point. Here, visitors can admire the original casket of the ‘Lord of Bocholtz’ and view a reconstruction of the casket of the ‘Lady of Simpelveld’. Along the way, walkers can listen to the podcast of Julius Genialis, a Batavian veteran who settled in this region after his military service. His stories bring the world of the Roman villas vividly to life and show how Simpelveld keeps its past alive for future generations.
