An International Roman Landscape Full of Stories and Experiences

Author: Anja Neskens
Photography: Anja Neskens

VIA VIA – Cooperation between the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany

Between 2025 and 2027, thirteen partners from the Euregion are joining forces to bring the Roman past back to life. Via Via revives Roman history across nine locations in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Along the route, visitors will discover Roman landmarks and attractions. The project aims to offer a unique journey through history — across borders and languages.

Cross-border collaboration

Thirteen partners from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany are working together to make this project a success. Among them are the municipalities of Heerlen, Maastricht, Simpelveld, and Voerendaal, and the cities of Tienen, Jülich, Tongeren, and Aachen. Participating institutions include Museum Zitadelle in Jülich, the Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren, Centre Céramique in Maastricht, the Roman Museum in Heerlen, Via Belgica, and Erlebnisraum Römerstraße. In addition, the universities of Liège and Utrecht (Constructing The Limes) are involved as knowledge partners.

Entrepreneurship and experience

This unique route offers more than just history. Local entrepreneurs are involved in translating Roman stories into distinctive experiences — from regional products and artisanal souvenirs to culinary creations. Collaboration with tourism experts and the universities of Utrecht and Liège ensures both historical accuracy and strong economic impact.

Nine Roman hotspots

From 2027 onward, VIA VIA will offer engaging Roman experiences at nine unique locations:

Municipality of Tienen – an interactive walking route along Roman sites
City of Tongeren – an interactive walking route along Roman sites
Gallo-Roman Museum Tongeren – an immersive room experience
Municipality of Maastricht – interactive exhibition at the Maastricht Museum | Centre Céramique and in Hotel Derlon
Municipality of Voerendaal – interactive landscape installation near Villa Voerendaal
Roman Museum Heerlen – an immersive room experience
Municipality of Simpelveld – a cross-border Roman landscape park
City of Aachen – Roman city walk
Municipality of Jülich – interactive exhibition at Museum Zitadelle

“The Province of Limburg not only wants to preserve and honour archaeological heritage, but also to strengthen the sense of ownership between communities and their shared past. Via Via shows that Roman heritage is not only part of Limburg’s story, but of the entire Euregion.”
— Jasper Kuntzelaers, Provincial Executive Member

Funding

The Interreg Meuse–Rhine programme has recognised the tourism project VIA VIA as a valuable initiative, with a total implementation budget of €4,567,252.40 and an ERDF contribution of €2,283,626.17. The project is also supported by the European Union, with co-financing from the Ministry of Economic Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Regio Deal Parkstad Limburg.

Via Belgica

The Via Belgica project is the initiator of this collaboration. Via Belgica is a partnership between the municipalities of Maastricht, Meerssen, Valkenburg, Voerendaal, Heerlen, Simpelveld, and Kerkrade, with financial support from the Province of Limburg. Heerlen serves as the lead partner for this project.

“With Via Via, we are taking an important step toward making our rich Roman heritage accessible to everyone. This cross-border project shows what we can achieve together: a unique experience in which history comes to life and visitors feel connected to our shared past.”
— Alderman Jordy Clemens