Kronenburgerpark

Kronenburgerpark is a green park just west of the centre of Nijmegen, laid out around pieces of the medieval town defences. Nijmegen is often described as the oldest city in the Netherlands, with a history that begins in Roman times, when a settlement called Noviomagus stood on the Waal. The park carries some of that story: parts of the old town walls and a defensive tower still stand among its lawns and trees, and signs in the park explain how the city's fortifications developed over the centuries.

The present landscape was shaped in the nineteenth century, when the town walls had lost their military purpose and the land around them was turned into public gardens. The result is a classic landscape park, with winding paths, shaded lawns and flowerbeds, and a pond that dates from that time. A second small lake and a play area make it popular with families, and a small animal enclosure is a favourite with children. The park is open at all hours as a public space, and it is free to enter.

On weekends, visitors can climb the tower for a view across the park and over the city, though the opening arrangements for it vary and should be checked locally. The wall remnants are worth looking at closely, because they show the thick stone construction that protected the city and the later layers of repair. In places, trees grow along the old line of defence, giving a sense of how the medieval and the landscaped parts of the park overlap.

The park lies close to some of the best sights in Nijmegen. Museum Het Valkhof, the city's art and archaeology museum, is a short walk away near the Waal, along with the Stevenskerk, the large Gothic church in the old centre. The Mariënburgkapel and the shopping street Lange Hezelstraat are in the same area, and Cultuurspinnerij De Vasim and the N70 trail are nearby for those with more time. The park makes a pleasant pause between visits, a place to eat a picnic or read a book.

Kronenburgerpark suits families, walkers, history fans and anyone looking for a quiet green space in the middle of a busy city. It is at its best on a sunny spring or summer afternoon, but autumn colours are also attractive. Allow an hour for a relaxed walk, and bring a picnic if the weather is good.