Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands. This has been established through historical and scientific research.
Before the Romans ever created a military campsite plus a civilian settlement on the hill they called Ulpia Noviomagus,
the locals were there long before. In former days there were four tribes in the Netherlands; the Canninifates to the west,
the Frisians in the north, the Tubants in the east and the Bataves in the south. The Bataves became allies to the Romans,
they even provided security for the Roman Emperor by means of the Emperial Batave Guards. In return the Romans granted
liberty and freedom of slavery to the Bataves. Nonetheless, some uprising and revolts still sprouted in this province.
After the fall of the Roman Empire Nijmegen has developed into a regional centre for trade and commerce. When Charles
the Great became emperor during the Middle Ages he inherited Nijmegen as well. He recognized that Nijmegen was strategically
important so he fortified Nijmegen. On Falcon Court (de Valkhof) he had a strong fortress built.
This fortress oversaw the river and it's surroundings. So, it is fair to say that Nijmegen has a somewhat imperial
attitude, up to this day.
Before the Second World War the city of Nijmegen only was important regionally. Farmers, craftsmen and the populus encountered
each other during the weekly markets. To this day, this is still the case.
Nijmegen has suffered heavily during the war. The Americans mistakingly dropped bombs in February 1944 onto the city
centre; hundreds were killed and the heart of the city had been burned away. The beautiful Central Station-building was
also being destroyed. It took over 40 years before parts of the centre were being properly rebuilt resulting in
an European architectural prize in the early nineties.
At the end of the war fierce street to street fighting took place in Nijmegen, again killing many civilians. Luckily it
could be prevented that the retreating German forces could blow up the bridge.
This act of resistance has been attributed to a local resident called Jan van Hooft.
Café de Overkant is located just in between Central Station and the city centre. This part of Nijmegen has not been
bombed and it's original buildings are in tact still.
Café de Overkant gives proof of this; the building and the surroundings evoke a pleasant and authentique atmosphere.
But just across the side-street is the frontiere were buildings had to be rebuilt due to war damages.
It is something to remember when visiting Nijmegen and, hence, café de Overkant.
|
|
