PODCAST – Introduction Julius

Welcome to the walking tour through Roman Simpelveld. This municipality is rich in discoveries from the Roman era, including four Roman villas, a coin hoard, the Sarcophagus of Simpelveld and two Roman roads: the Via Belgica and the Via Trajana.

In 2003, an exceptionally rich Roman grave belonging to a man was discovered in Bocholtz. This discovery became the inspiration for our Roman character, your guide during this walk. We gave this man the name Julius Genialis and imagined him as a cavalryman in the Roman army. After his military career, Julius settled in Bocholtz. The peace and quiet of rural life appealed to him, especially combined with the proximity of the cities of Coriovallum (Roman Heerlen) and Aqua Granni (Roman Aachen). Arguments that still make sense today.

Naturally, much has changed over the past 2,000 years. Yet during the walk, you will discover many similarities as well: the rural landscape, the arable farming, the fruit orchards and the many streams. Heerlen and Aachen are still close by. Then and now.

We hope Julius will introduce you to the Roman past of some 2,000 years ago, while at the same time allowing you to enjoy the beautiful surroundings!