Vakantiehuis De Vorster Pastorie (Broekhuizenvorst) - The surroundings

The surroundings

In the surroundings of 'The Vorster Pastorie' there are lots of places to visit and things to do to make your holiday a success. For instance, nature lovers can spend their time walking and cycling and enjoy the quiet, the space and the plentiful natural beauty. There are also a lot of attractive villages to visit in the area; in Limburg or just over the border in Germany. Culinary speaking, there are also a lot of options. Just think about the vast amount of regional specialties, from vlaai (a typical Limburgse pie) to blue berries. Culture lovers also won’t be bored. Due to the parsonage’s position close to the Dutch-German border; there are dozens of museums, festivities and organised activities in the region.

Partly because of this 'The Vorster Pastorie' is a fine base for your trips. For more tourism information in the area, click on the button 'Tourist tips'.

Walking

The surroundings of North-Limburg exists of a divers landscape;

varying from woods, sand dunes, fields, marshland woods, brook valleys and the scenery of the Peel to the banks of the Maas. Through the years the amount of walking paths has grown enormously. People can choose from walks in the woods, historical hicks, routes through preserved natural sites, culinary routes, city walks or walks with a cultural highlights. Something for everybody. The next link will give you a good overview of the different options; (www.liefdevoorlimburg.nl/wandelen). It gives you information about the highlights you will see along the route, the starting point, the distance in miles, the marking of the route, the type of roads you will be walking on and there is off course the option of printing the map. In the 'The Vorster Pastorie' itself a few of these routes have already been printed; these are the routes which, in our opinion, you can not miss.

Cycling

For cyclists North-Limburg is also a good base for a cycling holiday. The many cycling paths create a divers network of cycling routes, which you can enjoy endlessly. The next link will give you a good overview of the different options in the area; (www.liefdevoorlimburg.nl/fietsen). It gives you information about the highlights you will see along the route, the starting point, the distance in miles, the marking of the route, the type of roads you will be walking on and there is off course the option of printing the map. In 'The Vorster Pastorie' itself a few of these cycling routes have already been printed, these are the routes which, in our opinion, you can not miss.

If you’re not bringing a bike with you on your holiday, this is no problem. There is a cycling shop next door, Lambert van het Groenewolt (Kerkstraat 43), where you can rent a bike!

Arcen (3 km)

In this historic village on the river Maas you will find the castle of Arcen, with it’s famous gardens. In the 17th century the village was built in the name of the duke of Gelre. The current castle (built in baroque style) was built on the foundations of the previous castle, which was also built upon older foundations.

The intimate centre of Arcen has many terraces and restaurants.

In addition you could also take a tour through the distillery “Graanbranderij de Ijsvogel”. Situated in the Wijmarche Watermill, a overshot and undershot mill from 1498 which has been restored many times.

You can also take a look in the Hertog Jan brewery, where you can book up a tour or visit the café “De Proeverij” across the street where you can have a taste of the many beers Holland holds.

If you are looking to relax you can visit the Thermal baths of Arcen. The water comes from a 892 meter deep well and has a nice temperature of 35-36 degrees.

Lottum (4 km)

In Lottum, the rose village of Holland, yearly millions of garden roses are cultured. In the Rose information centre you can get to know, everything there is to know about the rose; it’s history, the different kinds, the way to take care of a rose etcetera.

In the village there are a few rose gardens you can visit. In these gardens the many possibilities of presenting the rose are displayed. The biennial Rose festival is a exhibition you can not miss! Hundreds and thousands of roses are processed in a beautiful mosaics, objects and garden displays in and around the centre of Lottum. The last addition of the event in 2010 had a estimated 60.000 visitors from the Netherlands and abroad.

Venlo (25 km)

At the beginning of our era the location where Venlo now lies, served as a Roman military post. From recent digs the conclusion has been made that Venlo might even been the oldest Roman settlement in Holland. The first mentioning of the name Venlo dates back tot the year 1000. In the period 1250-1300 Venlo serves as a little market place.

The centre of this town lies around the current Jodenstraat and the Oude Markt. In 1343 the duke Reinald II of Gelre gave Venlo city rights. Due to this act from 1350-1500 Venlo grew into one of the most important cities of the former duchy Gelre. Unfortunately the Second World War did a lot of damage to the historic centre of Venlo. Never the less Venlo is still a very nice city with lots of possibilities, from the different terraces to the shopping facilities (known in the area). Venlo also has a very rich and abundant carnival history. ‘t Venloosh Vasteloaves Society JOCUS (1842) is the oldest still functioning carnival society of Holland. For many years now carnival has always started with the Boétegewoéne Boétezitting, which attracts a lot of carnival lovers from all over Holland.

Sites to see in this city, located on the river Maas, are the beautiful historic building in the city centre, the Limburg Museum, the town hall, the several churches, the Van Bommel van Dam Museum, the Groote Heide (nature) and the different city parks Venlo has.

Kevelaer (25 km)

Kevelaer is a city just over the border in the German province of Nordrhein-Westfalen, formally a part of Opper-Geldre and therefore a piece of the diocese of Roermond.

In Holland Kevelaer is know as a pilgrimage, as a depiction of Maria is honoured in the city. The Candle chapel (1645) is the oldest pilgrimage church of Kevelaer. The many processions that have been held here hold a rich history, as seen on the many coat-of-arms, pilgrimage candles, stained glass windows and votive shields. To this day the pilgrimage to this city is very much alive.

In 1923 the big pilgrimage church (built in 1858) was named a papal basilica. This church is devoted to the Assumption of Mary. Besides this particular church, Kevelaer also houses many other chapels.

Xanten (45 km)

Xanten is located at the Benden-Rijn in the German province Nordrhein-Westfalen. Here the Roman emperor Traian built the city “Colonia Ulpia Traiana” (C.U.T.) in the year 105. Together with the current city of Keulen, this was the biggest city in Neder-Germanie.

In the 2nd century a lot of veterans were located in this city. In the 3rd century the Roman city was for the most part destroyed. The city however was built back, on a smaller scale, in the same location and was stronger than ever. The beginning of the 5th century meant the end of the Roman empire.

Around the year 751 the religious society “ad sanctos” was founded, with the members living as monks. Next to this religios society a neighbourhood was started, named Xanten. The name comes from the meaning of “ad sanctos”, which stands for “with the holy”. In 1228 Xanten gained their city rights from the archbishop Von Molenark. Many buildings, including the big Dome in Xanten, were built with stones from the attacks on the city Colonia Ulpia Traiana.

The foundations of C.U.T. lay waiting under the fields and pastures, until interested villagers started a investigation into the Roman city in the 19th century. In 1879 the big bath house was localised and in 1935 the foundations of the amphitheatre were discovered. During the Second World War the old city part Xanten was heavily damaged, just as the Dome. Luckily they could later be restored.

Due to the upcoming industry and the reconstruction after the war the pastures and fields the digs to uncover the Roman foundations had to be speeded up. When new building were found the foundations would be registered, the size of the building noted, a small drawing made and photographed. Slowly massive building were found, bigger buildings than were ever thought of.

Later a proposal was made to turn the dig sites into a archaeological park and to proceed in discovering more and more, but to let the public in on it. In 1972 the first systematical digs started, which made way for the first reconstructions. In 1977 the first part of the park was opened for the public.

The current Archaeological Park Xanten contains approximately a litte under half of the Roman city. A section of the foundations still lies buried under the modern roads, houses and offices.

Sites to see in Xanten are the Archaeological Park Xanten, the Roman Museum, St. Victor’s Dome, the several churches and the Jewish Cemetery.

Roermond (50 km)

Roermond is a atmospheric city with a rich history. Roermond also used to be a Roman settlement on the river Roer. In 1231 Roermond gained it’s city rights, became capital of Opper-Gelre, became a Hanseatic town and therefore was a important trade center. In 1559 the city became the bishop's residence, which lasted until 1798 but was reinstated in 1853.

Roermond is full of nice churches, cathedrals, convents and monuments. For instance the Saint Christoffel cathedral (1410) on the market square or the town hall built in 1700. Roermond’s city centre is also a good place for shopping. Through a pedestrian tunnel you can also reach the “Designer Outlet”, just outside the city walls. If that doesn’t fancy you, Roermond is also known for it’s water recreation (for instance the Maasplassen).