Nijmegen Favorites

Favorite thing: No, its a woman on a wall, not a mermaid on a waal, silly!

The river Waal is mysteriously deceptive, with wonderful albeit random pieces of art and decorum along amidst the factory industry of the other sections. Nijmegen is the best place to see some of this. Sit at one of the cafes along the river, or even eat aboard one of the boats there!

Fondest memory: I loved it when the wind stopped blowing long enough to appreciate the sun's warmth and see things like this.

Favorite thing: If you are a tango-passionnate, don't miss the chained salon-weekend of El Corte where you can dance tango on Saturday from 5pm to 5am and then again the afternoon of the Sunday. There, you can meet the most craziest tango-freaks and best dancers! You can experience the life in a dance community all weekend long, sleeping on the dance floor a few hours, taking a footh bath in a very cool atmosphere and taking breakfast with all your dance partners :-)

See http://www.elcorte.com

El Corte had its 16th anniversary at the end of March and organized for this occasion a Tango festival "Doble Ocho". Cfr doble ocho tango festival website and description on the Nijmegen homepage.

Fondest memory: Dancing with Cor(azon)!

"Een dans...zoals een liefdesgedicht...

Versmelten,
In elkaar verdrinken,
Zich laven aan de tango,
Wegdrijven in de muziek,
Dansend, soepel als een panter,
Tot het eerste morgenlicht...."

Favorite thing: The Nijmegen Tourist office (VVV) is located at the Keizer Karelplein (Keizer Karelplein 2 6511NC Nijmegen). Telephone: 0900-1122344

It''s combined with a travel agency and well equipped.

Tourist Info

Favorite thing: Nijmegen had in recent history witness of a little miracle in the Market-Garden-operation (WW-II), although it eventually didn't help the English fighting at Arnhem-bridge. As the allied forces fight their way towards the Waal-bridge, the Germans were ready to blow it skyhigh. A detachment of Americans crossed the river with high losses and approached the bridge from the North. First tanks entered it from the South as the SS-officer gave the order to detonate the explosives under the bridge. Nothing happened!!! Until the day of today no-one knows exactly who cut the wires - as later one found out. It is said to be a Nijmegen student and resistance-member, but he couldn't tell. He got shot at the end of the same day in the streets of the town.

Favorite thing: On the 22th of February 1944 Nijmegen was struck with a very fierce bombardment by the allied forces. Being close to the German border and due to a miscalculation within the command centre of the bombing fleed, Nijmegen was seen as a German industrial town and became a target. Of the city centres monument only few came out unharmed. Most of them were detroyed are badly damaged.

Favorite thing: Take a look near the Waalbrug to see the river Waal.

The Waalkade is a boulevard along the river, with lots of opportunities to eat and go out.

At the Waalkade is also the casino and two museums, namely De Stratemakerstoren and Velorama.

If you go up the stairs next to the casino. You can take a walk into the Valkhofpark. Once the Valkhof was a mighty castle of as they call him often 'Charle Magne' . Unfortunately there are only ruïns now.

A beautiful site on the Waalkade is: www.waalkadenijmegen.nl

Restaurants, Bars and other tips are mentioned. There is one problem the site is in dutch.

Fondest memory: Going out and have a nice meal in one of the attractive restaurants.

Favorite thing: Cheering to the incoming fourdays-marchers, handing over flowers and supporting the once that barely manage to get to the finish-line.
... and ...
Sit down at the Waalkay on a terrace and enjoy the ships float by on the mighty river Waal (the most densely used river in the world!).

Fondest memory: Kissing at the Waal-crossing-monument on a bikingtour on ascensionday.

Favorite thing: Nijmegen has roman origins. It was the city of Noviomagus. Later, in the 9th century, Charlemagne settled here and built Het Valkhof, that was also used by Barbarossa.

Fondest memory: During the second world war, the old city was heavily damaged. It has taken a long time for the city to recover. Specially the 'low town' near the river is really nice now. Picture: The Valkhof in the snow.