De Gracht

Roermond is a town in the Dutch province of Limburg, where the river Roer flows into the Maas, and water has been a central part of its life since the Middle Ages. The town became important as a trading centre and a seat of power, and it was surrounded by walls and moats, as most medieval towns in the region were, until the military value of such defences ended and many were filled in or reshaped. A gracht is a canal, and in many Dutch towns the canals that follow the line of the old defences are among the most pleasant places to walk. The details of the waterway known as De Gracht in Roermond are not widely documented, so what follows describes the setting and the way such waterways are used.

A canal that follows an old moat has a characteristic shape. It curves around the historic centre rather than running straight, and it is edged by paths, trees and benches, with the backs of old buildings reflected in the water. Bridges at intervals connect the centre with the districts beyond, and in places a surviving tower or gate recalls the walls. Where the moat has been filled in, the line of the ring road or green belt shows where it ran. A walk along such a line is a good way to see how the town was laid out and to appreciate its scale, and the combination of water and greenery gives a quiet contrast to the busy shopping streets.

Roermond has plenty of history to see nearby. The Munsterkerk, a thirteenth-century Romanesque church of great beauty, stands near the Market Square, and the town hall, the Stedelijk Museum and several other churches lie within a short walk. The cathedral of Saint Christopher is a Gothic church, and the pilgrimage chapel known as the Kapel in 't Zand is a famous local landmark. The park along the Maas gives views over the river, and boat trips run on the nearby lakes.

The area suits walkers and cyclists, and the paths are mostly flat and paved. They are open at all times and free, and in the evening lighting makes them pleasant. Cafes and shops in the surrounding streets offer breaks. Roermond is also known for a large designer outlet centre on its edge, which draws shoppers from far afield, but the old centre has a quiet charm of its own.

A stroll along the water suits couples, families and history lovers, and it takes half an hour or more. Roermond is reached by train from Eindhoven and Maastricht.