Alphen aan den Rijn, Roman fortress and municipality in South Holland, Netherlands
Alphen aan den Rijn is a town along the Old Rhine's banks, crisscrossed by waterways and canals that connect residential and commercial zones. It extends in a linear pattern beside the river, mixing green spaces and modern buildings with older structures from different eras.
The Romans built the castellum Albaniana around 40 AD as a military outpost on the empire's northern border. The settlement then experienced centuries of changes but maintained its importance as a transportation hub along the Rhine throughout its history.
The town's name traces back to Latin roots, and Roman heritage remains woven into everyday life throughout the streets and neighborhoods. Locals and visitors alike encounter reminders of this ancient past simply by walking around the city.
The central train station connects the town directly to major Dutch cities, making it easy to arrive from elsewhere. An extensive network of cycling paths and waterways offers flexible ways to get around once you are there.
The Archeon park displays full-scale reconstructions of buildings from different historical periods. Visitors can experience how people lived and worked in prehistoric, ancient, and medieval times through these physical recreations.
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