HEERLEN – Potter Lucius – A bustling city – 4.6 km

Around 2,000 years ago, a settlement emerged at the crossing of two important Roman roads: the Via Belgica and the Via Traiana. Later, this settlement grew into the Roman town of Coriovallum, present-day Heerlen. The many archaeological finds give us an impression of Roman life in the town. The centrepiece was the bathhouse, where much of the social life took place. Around the bathhouse were shops, inns, workshops and pottery workshops.

Thanks to the discovery of a beautiful jug with an inscription, we know the name of one potter: Lucius. This Lucius is our guide. He shows us the town and the nature surrounding it. He tells us about his work as a potter, his customers, his friends and his love for Amaka. Through his eyes, we discover a lively town where people from all directions come together. A place where people live, work and seek relaxation. Much will seem familiar to us, because Coriovallum, the Roman town, eventually made way for Heerlen, the central city of the Parkstad region.

Practical information:

• Starting point of the walking route? The Roman Museum, Coriovallumstraat 9 in Heerlen
• Distance? 4.6 km
• Roman guide? Potter Lucius
• Walking junctions?
  30-65-70-83-77-52-92-50-30
• Tips for your ideal audio walk
  • Download the free VIA VIA/Via Belgica app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  • Make sure you accept or enable app notifications.
  • In the app, go to Settings, select your preferred language and enable notifications.
  • Earphones or headphones will enhance your listening experience.
  • Make sure your phone is fully charged (tip: a power bank is always useful, especially if your battery is getting older).
  • Enable your location services and let the app’s GPS guide you.
  • At special locations, you will hear the sound of a Roman cornu, and a pop-up with additional information will appear in the app.

Credits: the audio walks were developed by public archaeologist Béatrice de Fraiture – BdF Producties.