Archaeological Park Matilo - Leiden

About 2000 years ago, on the spot where Park Matilo now stands, there was a Roman border fort: Castellum Matilo. This national monument will not be excavated. The Archaeological Park Matilo was built to still show something of the Roman past.

In the center of the park are high earthen walls with watchtowers. The ramparts have the same dimensions and are in the same place as the ramparts of the original fort. The iron sheet pile walls refer to the banks of Corbulo's canal, dug by the Romans, between the Rhine near Leiden and the Maas near Naaldwijk.

There are a number of striking "line sculptures" in the park. They tell you something about the contrast between the two peoples who met here. For example, 'the sower' symbolizes the local people, the Cananephates. They stayed close to home and made use of nature as it was. 'The surveyor' refers to the Romans, who were already looking much further afield and were much more in control of the world.

Photo 1: ©Municipality of Leiden