Nijmegen Off The Beaten Path

We went to this war cemetary to visit an uncle residing there. The Dutch keep it in immaculate condition - we were amazed. It is amazing to see all the graves row on row. It truly reminds me of the poem written by the Canadian doctor John McCrae in 1915. (No poppies now, but lots of other flowers).

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

This Gate - one of the two remaining gates - was part of the 14th-century citywalls, but got it's definitive look in 1609-1610.

Because of the floodings the Waalkade is made higher, that's why the gate got to low for it's original use. This already happened in the 17th century.

Since the restauration a few decennia back it is possible to use the gate again to walk through.

At the Steenstraat stands the so called Besiendershuis. This house built about 1525 thanks its name of the 'besiender', that should have lived here.. The 'besiender' was a kind of tax collector for the ships passing on the river Waal. He had to collect the toll money of the passing ships.

Nowadays we know the guy probably never lived here but nevertheless the house is nowadays called Het Besiendershuys because of the story.

Belvedere

The Belvedere tower nowadays is a quality restaurant, which has a great view across the river Waal, Waalbridge, Ooypolder and Valkhofpark.

Noviomagus foundation told me the story on the name of the tower:

The story goes that the Duke of Parma shouted 'Bel vedere' (Italian for: beautiful view) when he visited the town in 1585.

It has a great view on a big part of the land between the rivers Waal and Nederrijn.

Originally the Belvédère was part of the toens defense works and citwalls. It was erected in the first half of the 15the century.

As said this tip is also a great restaurant tip.

On the Queen's day....everybody dress in orange in El Corte!!!! To dance tango in orange gives a really different atmosphere!!!! This ball is organised every 30th April (from 8pm to 4am) price : 10 euros ... orange juice for free and possibility to have drink ticket if you have more than 50% orange on you!

A bathroom 15th century style :-) It is on the outside of the castle and it is nothing more than a hole in the floor. This parts of the castle hangs over the moat, so no flush toilet was needed. Simple but effective :-)

You can find Hernen Castle in the little village of Hernen, which is west from Nijmegen.
Opening times :
15th April until 1st November 10 o'clock until 12 and 2 o'clock until 5.
It is a guided tour and the last one is at 4 o'clock.

Hernen Castle is a castle with a moat around it, dating back to the 14th century. Because this castle was hardly used since the 17th century it hasn't been changed at all since those days. It is quite an extra-ordinary castle in the Netherlands, because it has some unique architecture. It is one of the important examples of defendable houses in the Netherlands.