Overhuizen opens as gateway to Roman park
Author: Harry Lindelauf
Photography: Harry Lindelauf
After years of preparation, the Roman Information Centre has opened at Hoeve Overhuizen in Bocholtz. The centre presents finds from the area’s rich Roman past and serves as the gateway to the cross-border Roman landscape park Bocholtz-Vetschau, which will open in 2027.
Alderman Peter Spirk referred to this in his speech during the official opening: ‘Sometimes our past seems very far away, but here it literally lies beneath your feet. How wonderful, then, that we can explore and experience Roman history here. And that is exactly what we want to achieve with this information centre.’
The honour of opening the Information Centre went to Hub Hodinius, former alderman of Simpelveld, the municipality of which Bocholtz is part. For many years, he was one of the driving forces behind the idea developed by Marc Hermans and Marc Charlier.
Photo: Former alderman Hub Hodinius officially opened the Information Centre.
Beneath the fields between Bocholtz and Vetschau lie the remains of four Roman villas. Connected to these villas are the ash chests of the individuals now known as the Lady of Simpelveld and the Lord of Bocholtz. The discoveries of the ash chests and the grave goods form the common thread running through the presentation in the Information Centre.
From 2027, the Information Centre will serve as the gateway to the cross-border Roman landscape park. Its development is part of the tourism project VIA VIA, which forms part of the Interreg Meuse-Rhine programme.
Photo: The ash chests are, both literally and figuratively, the major eye-catchers of the Information Centre.
