Neerhem

Neerhem is a residential neighborhood in Valkenburg aan de Geul that spreads along the main road and includes several streets heading north with homes and traditional architecture. The area sits below the Berkelpoort city gate and forms a natural transition zone between the older town center and the valley floor.

The neighborhood developed outside the Berkelpoort city gate and underwent major growth after World War II, changing from rural land into a residential area. This expansion transformed it into the modern residential district visitors see today.

The name comes from Dutch words meaning low and settlement, reflecting how the neighborhood sits in the valley below Valkenburg. Residents and visitors move through its streets as natural pathways that connect the lower areas to the older parts of town above.

The area is well served by the N595 road that connects Valkenburg to Oud-Valkenburg, providing good access for both residents and visitors. Walking is the best way to explore the neighborhood, with the main road serving as a natural orientation point.

The Dwingel, an ancient path running along the southeast side of Valkenburg Castle, is a former defensive structure now woven into the neighborhood's street network. This old route still connects the area to the medieval town in a quiet way.