Partners – City Tienen
Tienen: so much more than a Gallo-Roman vicus
Tienen has a decades-long history of archaeological excavations and offers something truly unique: it reveals the direct connection between a vicus (a settlement), villae rusticae (farmhouses/villas), tumuli (burial mounds), and the roads that tied them all together!
For more than 45 years, archaeologists have carefully documented Tienen’s Gallo-Roman history. Excavations near the railway station, in rural landscapes, and at cemeteries have brought to light remarkable features: parts of the vicus of Tienen and its surroundings, a private bathhouse from a villa rustica, ancient graves, and road networks. Thanks to this, we can show our visitors Tienen’s fascinating Roman heritage!
Today, you can experience this rich past in multiple ways. At the museum ‘Het Toreke’ the excavated remnants are thematically highlighted, cycling and walking routes take you past the archaeological sites themselves, and 3D reconstructions and landscape parks bring history to life in several places in Tienen.
Partners in VIA VIA
As a proud partner of the VIA VIA project, Tienen adds exceptional value by linking its unique archaeological wealth to the wider network of Roman hotspots and cycling/walking routes across parts of Limburg, Belgium, and Germany that are part of VIA VIA. This partnership not only places Tienen’s Roman heritage in a broader cross-border story, but also allows visitors to explore how the city’s vicus, villae, tumuli, and roads fit into the wider Roman landscape of the region!
In the mood for a tourist trip?: Visit Tienen
Curious for more archaeological information? : Stadsarchief Tienen & Hagelands Historisch Documentatiecentrum
