Discover the Roman past of Heel and travel back to a place that, almost two thousand years ago, formed an important link within the Roman Empire. From around AD 40 until the 4th century AD, the vicus of Catualium was located here: a lively Roman roadside settlement along the important route between Tongeren and Nijmegen. The significance of Catualium is also reflected in its mention on the famous Peutinger Map, a Roman road map on which only important places were marked.
During excavations in Heel, including those carried out on the Daelzicht site between 2008 and 2011, numerous traces from this period came to light. The people who lived here were strongly influenced by Roman culture: they used Roman pottery, traded via the River Maas and lived in a community connected to an international network of trade and travel. Along the Roman road, which followed the route of today’s Panheelderweg, Dorpsstraat and Heerbaan towards Beegden, merchants and travellers came and went, while goods from every direction were traded here. Pottery, such as wine and olive amphorae, and even luxury glassware from the Mediterranean region reached Catualium — a sign of prosperity and far-reaching trade contacts.
Outside the settlement, along the roads leading out of it, lay an impressive Roman burial ground. This burial ground is among the largest in the Netherlands. Hundreds of graves yielded precious grave goods, including oil lamps, jewellery and glassware. Many of these remarkable finds can now be seen at the Limburgs Museum in Venlo.
Follow in the footsteps of the Romans and discover just how rich Heel’s past truly is. Experience Catualium and discover Heel in Roman times with the Archeo Route Limburg.