ABSTRACT
Nijmegen, as the oldest city of the Netherlands, has a long and intense relation with the river. As the Rhine crosses the German-Dutch border it branches into three rivers from which the most southern is named the Waal river. In the vicinity of this branching point the Romans decided to build a strategic settlement named Noviomagus. The Romans used the Waal to ship in soldiers and goods. Soon tradesmen, innkeepers and other civilians followed, for there was always something to be earned in and around an army camp. This camp rapidly developed into a large settlement with about five thousand inhabitants. In the year 104 Roman emperor Traianus acknowledged the importance of the flourishing settlement by granting Noviomagus, which means “new market”, with market and civic rights. This year we celebrate the fact that Nijmegen is therefore the oldest city of the Netherlands.
