Herwen-Hemeling

Herwen-Hemeling is an excavated temple complex from the Roman period located where the Rhine and Waal rivers meet. The site consists of several buildings with painted walls, tiled roofs, and stone altars that were built by Roman soldiers at the northern frontier of the empire.

The temples were built and maintained from the first to fourth century by Roman soldiers along the Limes, the empire's northern frontier. This site played a key role in the lives of the garrisons that protected this remote section of Roman territory.

The temple was dedicated to various deities such as Hercules Magusanus and Jupiter-Serapis, reflecting the religious practices of Roman soldiers stationed along the frontier. These votive stones show how legionnaires honored their gods and sought protection during their service by the Rhine.

Most artifacts from the excavation are now displayed at the Valkhof Museum in Nijmegen, with plans for additional displays at the Liemers Museum nearby. Access to the actual site is limited, so visiting the museums provides the best way to understand the full story of what was found here.

The excavation revealed about 80,000 objects, including horse harnesses, armor parts, and roof tiles stamped with military marks. These stamps show that the army itself was directly involved in constructing and maintaining these structures.

Location: Zevenaar

GPS coordinates: 51.87194,6.10361

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:06