MEERSSEN – Goddess Minerva – Gods and people – 3.2 km

Welcome to the walk through Roman Meerssen. The Roman goddess Minerva will accompany you.

Religious heritage is Meerssen’s calling card. No wonder, because anyone visiting Meerssen cannot miss its beautiful basilica, the masterpiece of Meuse Gothic architecture. The Leopold Church and the synagogue also deserve special mention.

The bronze relief by Wil van der Laan on the façade of the town hall opposite the basilica depicts important moments from the town’s history. Minerva will point out this relief to you along the way. The artwork’s title, “Marsna,” refers to the Roman era in the Geul Valley.

In Roman times, the water of the Geul River, the fertile soil, and the hillside forests rich in wildlife created ideal conditions for living and working. Add to that the fact that the Via Belgica passed through the Geul Valley, and it becomes clear why this was such an attractive place to settle.

Numerous archaeological discoveries show us that life and work in the Geul Valley during Roman times were prosperous and pleasant — just as they are today.

And where people live, there are gods as well. The discovery of fragments of a statue of Minerva shows that this goddess was present in the lives of the valley’s inhabitants. Did Minerva, goddess of wisdom and craftsmanship, really exist? That is not a question one asks a goddess!

Practical information:

• Starting point of the walking route? Boscafé De Nachtegaal, Gemeentebroek 6, Meerssen
• Distance? 3.2 km
• Roman guide? Goddess Minerva
• 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.