Via Belgica crosses Via Traiana
Raadhuisplein, Heerlen
Two important Roman roads crossed through Roman Heerlen: from east to west the Via Belgica, and from north to south the Via Ulpia Traiana. The Via Belgica was the “E1” of northwestern Europe, connecting the French coast with Cologne. At the time, Cologne was the largest city in the region and the capital of the province of Germania Inferior.
The Via Ulpia Traiana ran from Roman Xanten (Colonia Ulpia Traiana) to Aachen (Aquisgranum). Roman Heerlen — Coriovallum — arose shortly after the year 0 at the crossroads of these two roads.
The (non-Roman) black milestone not far from this seat is a reminder of Heerlen’s historic role as a crossroads of roads.
