Sights of Roermond, Netherlands
Roermond is one of the largest tourist destinations in Limburg. That is a striking fact if you know that Roermond is surpassed by several other places in terms of the number of inhabitants, but also in terms of the number of hotel beds. For example, Maastricht and Valkenburg have more overnight stays than Roermond. Roermond’s strength lies mainly in day tourism. On an annual basis, millions of visitors come to the Designer Outlet Roermond. It regularly causes traffic jams in and around Roermond during the weekends. Not surprising when you know that this outlet is the largest in all of Europe. But Roermond has much more to offer than bargain hunting. Roermond can count itself among the nicest cities in Limburg. Nice enough to spend a whole day or more. Thanks to the three-minute walking distance between the outlet shopping mall and the center, more and more people are also visiting the city of Roermond itself.
According to GRADPHYSICS.COM, Roermond promotes itself as a city to experience, enjoy and discover. Rightly so. Within the city there are plenty of beautiful places and beautiful buildings to admire, you can experience various activities and the Burgundian touch ensures that the inner person will fully enjoy a visit to this centrally located city in Limburg.
Our top 10 sights of Roermond consists of a nice mix of all kinds of things you can see and do in this city located on the Roer and the Maas. Use our list as a guideline to make your visit to Roermond a successful city trip.
Top 10 sights of Roermond
#1. Market
The Markt is the main square of Roermond. Here you will find the historic city hall of Roermond, St. Christopher’s Cathedral and various monumental buildings. The town hall in particular is a true block catcher. The symmetrically built town hall is located at Markt 31. It has undergone the necessary adjustments and restorations over the years. The facade dates from the year 1700. A remarkable element is the turret in which there is a beautiful chime. At the end of the twentieth century, the chimes were supplemented by a group of moving images that revolve around the tower of the town hall every afternoon at noon.
The Gothic St. Christopher’s Cathedral is another striking building on the Markt. This gothic cathedral was built in 1410. During the Second World War, this church suffered some war damage. During the reconstruction of the church tower, some adjustments were made. The centrally hung cross with Jesus Christ is a striking eye-catcher in the church.
On the western side there are mainly catering establishments. In the warmer season, the terraces of these companies contribute to the cozy atmosphere of the Markt.
#2. Munsterplein and Munsterkerk
Roermond’s number two attraction has also been set aside for a square. It concerns Munsterplein, which, if you ask us, is just a bit nicer than the Markt on summer days. Two striking buildings on the Munsterplein: the Munsterkerk and the kiosk. The Munsterkerk is older than St. Christopher’s Cathedral. It was built in the early thirteenth century. Several restorations have taken place, in which both the interior and the exterior of the church have been modified. The famous Roermond architect Pierre Cuypers also contributed to this. There is also a statue of Cuypers on the Munsterplein. This monument was unveiled in 1930, nine years after the death of this famous inhabitant of Roermond.
There is another design by Cuypers on the Munsterplein: the kiosk. The twelve-sided cast-iron kiosk is spanned with a flattened dome made of wood. From the kiosk you have a beautiful view over the Munsterplein and the Munsterkerk.
#3. Cuypers House
The name Pierre Cuypers has already been mentioned above. This famous Dutch architect was born in Roermond in 1827. He studied in Antwerp at the Art Academy to become an architect. Two years after graduating, he became the city architect of Roermond. Within the city you will find several examples of his architectural skills. Cuypers is best known for his designs for the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and Amsterdam Central Station.
His former home in Roermond has been transformed into a museum dedicated to Cuypers: the Cuypershuis. Get to know some objects from his former workshops, such as his much-used pointing device. Walk through his old studio and see designs made by Cuypers.
#4. Roerkade
If you are talking about cozy atmospheric places in Roermond, then the Roerkade should definitely be mentioned. The Roerkade is a succession of restaurants, cafes and associated terraces. The location on the Roer provides a picturesque setting. It is especially wonderful to stay here during the warmer spring and summer days. The so-called Maasplassen tours depart from the Roerkade. These cruises on the Maasplassen are organized all year round.
#5. Designer Outlet Roermond
If you ensure that tens of thousands to sometimes a quarter of a million visitors come to Roermond every week, then you have earned a place in the top 10 sights of Roermond. Designer Outlet Roermond is the largest outlet shopping center in the Netherlands and even the whole of Europe. The majority of visitors are Belgians, Germans and Dutch. They flock to the more than two hundred shops and restaurants that this top attraction has. The visitors are mainly interested in buying designer clothes, accessories and a number of other products at great discounts. The range is large enough to spend a whole day shopping.
#6. Stone Bridge
The Stone Bridge or Maria Theresia Bridge spans the Roer. This monumental bridge was built in 1771, replacing an earlier bridge. The Stone Bridge has four arches and is now only accessible to cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge connects the center of Roermond with the picturesque St. Jacob suburb. This small district is located between the Roer and the Maas. The Suburb St. Jacob is a stopping point on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella. From here it is about 2,285 kilometers to the final destination.
#7. ECI Culture Factory
The Electro Chemical Industry (ECI) was an electrochemical company located on the outskirts of Roermond. After ECI ceased production in 1974, the buildings fell into disrepair. Some of the monumental factory buildings have been refurbished and given a different purpose. The complex is now known as the ECI Cultuurfabriek. A number of cultural activities in Roermond have been brought together here. Think of film, theatre, song, dance and all kinds of visual arts. A striking detail is the enormous chimney that towers above the ECI Cultuurfabriek. There are two catering establishments in the complex, including the refined Restaurant One.
#8. Rat tower
Roermond was once surrounded by city walls. The first wall was built around 1232, when Roermond received city rights. A new wall was added in the fourteenth century. That was necessary because of the growth of the city. The new fortress had 20 towers. Two of these eventually survived: the Rattentoren and the ruins of the Carrentoren. The rest of the Roermond city wall and the associated towers have been demolished.
The Rattentoren is a round corner tower that was built at the end of the fourteenth century. Over the centuries, the tower has had different names. The name Rattentoren is due to the fact that this place was used as a rubbish dump in the eighteenth century. On the top floor of the Rattentoren you can see a beautiful model of Roermond as a medieval city. This is only possible on days when the Rattentoren is open.
#9. Roermond sign
Important tourist cities increasingly have large letters in the city where tourists can capture themselves. Who doesn’t know the well-known Iamsterdam sign that can be seen in various places in the capital Amsterdam. Roermond is also participating in this trend. On the Stationsplein, in front of Roermond train station, you can have yourself immortalized with the touristic logo of Roermond. This consists of the white letters ROER and a red mouth behind it.
#10. Castle Hattem and the memorial monuments
Unfortunately, human history is full of wars. Wars produce casualties. Memorial monuments ensure that the people who died are remembered. There is a small park at Hattem Castle, which was built in the seventeenth century. This park used to be known as Stadspark Hattem. Nowadays the name is used as National Memorial Park Roermond. There are several memorial monuments in this park. The National Indies Monument 1945-1962 is the most famous monument. It commemorates the more than 6,200 Dutch soldiers who fell during the battle in the former Dutch East Indies and New Guinea.
The castle and its park are located just south of the center of Roermond. Kasteel Hattem is the smallest castle in the Netherlands. A hotel-restaurant is now located in this castle, which has been declared a national monument.
