Markt Square

The Markt in Roermond is the town's main square, a broad open space in the middle of the old centre, with a town hall on one side and the Gothic tower of the cathedral rising close by. Roermond is a town in Dutch Limburg, at the meeting point of the Roer and the Maas, and it has been a place of trade and government since the Middle Ages, so its main square carries a long history of markets, ceremonies and gatherings. The surrounding streets are lined with shops, cafes and restaurants, and the square is the starting point for most walks through the old town.

The buildings around the Markt show the layers of the town's history. The town hall, in a dignified classical style from the eighteenth century, is the principal civic building, with a regular facade and a balcony from which proclamations were made. Other houses around the square date from different periods and show features such as stepped gables, decorated cornices and the brickwork typical of the region. Some have been rebuilt after wartime damage, as Roermond suffered severely in the fighting of 1944 and 1945, and the centre was partly reconstructed afterwards. The result is a lively mix of old and new. Nearby, the cathedral of Saint Christopher, a large Gothic church, closes one side of the square with its tall tower, and it is among the key landmarks of the town.

The square is a place of daily life as well as history. Markets are held here at certain times of the week, with stalls selling vegetables, fruit, cheese, bread and flowers, and in the summer terraces fill the open spaces. Events, festivals and seasonal markets bring in crowds, and in the weeks before Christmas a market and decorations make the square especially attractive. As a pedestrian zone, it is easy and pleasant to walk across, and its stone paving and benches provide a place to sit and watch the passers-by. There is no entry charge and it is open at all times, with lighting in the evening.

The square is a natural base for exploring. The Munsterkerk, a Romanesque church of great beauty, the Stedelijk Museum, the park beside the Maas and the narrow lanes of the old town are all within a short walk, and the cathedral can be visited when it is open. Roermond is also known for a large outlet shopping centre on its edge.

The Markt suits visitors who want a relaxed look at a historic Limburg town, families and shoppers. A stop takes half an hour, longer with a meal. Check market days and events if you want to see it at its liveliest.