MAASTRICHT – Wine Merchant Servatus – A route full of flavour – 9.4 km

Welcome to the walking tour through Roman Maastricht. Your guide is Servatus the wine merchant.

Two millennia of settlement history lie hidden beneath the current buildings of the city centre. Roman traces are impossible to miss. The Romans built the first bridge across the river Meuse here, an important link in the Via Belgica, the major Roman road connecting the region. Roman Maastricht grew into a small town with a regional function, featuring a transshipment harbour, a market, a bathhouse, and a sanctuary. During the turbulent final years of the Roman era, this prosperous strategically located town transformed into a military fortress.

Based on numerous archaeological discoveries, we created our Roman character. The name Servatus comes from an inscription on a votive stone. This Servatus dedicated the stone to the Parcae, the goddesses of fate who determined people’s destinies. These goddesses were especially worshipped in Southern Gaul. That is why we gave Servatus Gallic roots — a region that was already renowned for its wine in Roman times.

Servatus did not really exist. Yet he guides us through Roman Maastricht. Very soon, similarities with present-day Maastricht become clear: the bridge over the Meuse, the sanctuary on Onze Lieve Vrouweplein, the bustling shoppers, the hotels, and the vineyards in the Jeker Valley. Perhaps the lively activity of the Roman town foreshadowed the international allure of Maastricht today…?

Practical information:

• Starting point of the walking route? Centre Céramique, Avenue Céramique, Maastricht
• Distance? 9.4 km
• Roman guide? Wine merchant Servatus
• Tips for your ideal audio walk:
• • Download the free VIA VIA / Via Belgica app from the App Store or Play Store
  • Select your language in the app and activate notifications
  • Earphones will enhance your listening experience
  • Enable your location and let the GPS system in the app 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.