Utrecht, Woerden, Harmelen

The Lower Germanic Limes is a border line running through the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg. The first place on the Limes is Katwijk aan Zee, then it follows the course of the Rhine and ends at the German town of Trier. The line is based on the ancient Roman Limes, which marked the border of the Roman Empire. The border line is thus more than 2,000 years old, making it one of the oldest border areas in Europe. The Limes was the northern border of the Romans for five hundred years. Along the Rhine, they built roads, watchtowers, army camps and waterworks. The Lower Germanic Limes is the largest archaeological monument in the Netherlands. Because of this great cultural-historical value, it has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

There are already 19 Limes archaeological sites in the Netherlands, spread across the provinces of South Holland, Utrecht and Gelderland. This cycle route connects the four forts in Utrecht: Vesting Woerden, Castellum Hoge Woerd, DOMunder on Domplein in Utrecht and Fort Vechten. Woerden is one of the best-preserved city fortresses in the Netherlands and one of the few that is still completely walled in. The church, town hall, city gate and monastery complete the city's monumental picture. An old warehouse houses the tourist information point. Next to it is the Kaashuis Woerden, where you can experience the Cheese Experience.

Then continue your route to Castellum Hoge Woerd. The original fort that stood on this site was a defensive structure to protect the town of Woerden. The fort has been rebuilt in a contemporary style, but is in the exact location as the original. Now you admire the archaeological treasures of culture, history and nature in the collection of the archaeological museum. The fortress also houses the theatre, a city farm and a café-restaurant.

Cycle along the nodes into the centre of Utrecht, on your way to the DOMunder. Indeed, Domplein was the very beginning of Utrecht. The underground archaeological park that offers a unique insight into the city's history. After crossing the heart of Utrecht, you pass Fort Vechten in the beautiful green surroundings. This fort is also part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. The historic building therefore houses the Waterliniemuseum, which tells you all about the waterline and Castellum Fectio, as the Romans called this fort at the time of the Limes.

After the archaeological monuments, you cycle back towards the starting point in Woerden. Urban areas are alternated with rural, green landscapes and waters such as the Leidsche Rijn and the Cattenbroekerplas. An instructive route full of history!