KERKRADE – Singer Caecilia – Life in and around the farm – 7 or 4.8 km

In Kerkrade, music flows through both the streets and history. From brass bands and orchestras to the world-famous WMC – music is part of the city’s DNA. And this tradition goes back further than you might think… even to Roman times.

Set out with the enchanting Roman singer Caecilia, who guides you through the landscape and through her life as a farmer’s daughter with great dreams via immersive audio stories. As you walk, you will discover remarkable places where Roman farmers once lived and worked. At Holzkuil, for example, an entire Roman estate was excavated, while near Euregiopark traces of simple farmhouses and even a mysterious terracotta bear were uncovered.

A walk full of stories, music, and surprises — where history and imagination come together.

Practical information:

• Starting point of the walking route? Brasserie Nieuw Ehrenstein, Nieuw-Erensteinerweg 5, Kerkrade
• Distance? Large loop – 7 km, small loop – 4.8 km. You can also combine both routes.
• Roman guide? Singer Caecilia
• Walking junctions?
  Long route: 86-50-29-76-10-60-22-93-19-61-82-62-51-86
  Short route: 71-46-95-81-98-71
• 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.