Liemers

Understand

The origin of the name of the Liemers region is debated upon, though it is commonly assumed that its name refers to the borders of the Roman Empire (Limes), which used to be the river Rhine, with the Romans living south of the river, and Germanic groups living north and east of the river. The region itself consists of five municipalities; Duiven, Montferland, Rijnwaarden, Westervoort and Zevenaar. The first one and last two of which are also the names of the three largest cities found within the region. Aside from these cities, other locations include Lobith, 's-Heerenberg and Didam.

Duiven

Duiven as a region has been part of Prussia and the Netherlands, going back and forth between the two during the first part of the 19th century. The municipality has been a part of the Netherlands since 1808, when it was gifted to the country by Prussia. In December 1813 it was split from Westervoort to create a new municipality that was gifted back to Prussia on the seventeenth of that month. The Congress of Vienna returned the municipality to the Netherlands on the first of June 1816. Nowadays the city of Duiven isn't much of a tourist-y site with the city functioning more as a regional hub for household-related shopping, with stores such as Makro, IKEA, MediaMarkt and Intratuin.

Montferland

Montferland is a forested and, compared to the rest of the Netherlands, rather hilly. It has been created on the first of January 2005 by merging the provinces of Bergh and Didam. Bergh, which is most likely named after its most prominent castle, used to be the land of the counts of Bergh. Historically it has been influenced largely by the nearby city of Doetinchem, whereas Didam chose to look up to Arnhem and the rest of the Liemers. Bergh is popular amongst off-road cyclists, hikers and horseback riders for its slanted and forested terrain. Didam, though it may seem unlikely, is far older than 's-Heerenberg (i.e. Bergh). Where the city now lies has once, in Roman times, been a Ger

Getting there

By car The north of the Liemers can be easily visited by car. The highway A12 runs straight through the middle of the region, and the A18 starts in the region. As mentioned above, Duiven, Westervoort and Zevenaar are located directly along the A12. 's-Heerenberg can best be reached by following the A12 into Germany, where it becomes Autobahn 3, and using exit 3 (Emmerich). Instead of heading for Emmerich, you should head away from the city. As soon as you enter the Netherlands again, you will be in 's-Heerenberg. Lobith can be reached via exit 29 or 30 on the A12, from which you will have to use the N336 or N812 respectively to get to Babberich, where you turn onto the N811, which will end in Lobith.

By train To get into the Liemers by train, first make your way to Arnhem, where you need to take the train heading for Doetinchem and/or Winterswijk. This train can take you to 1 Westervoort, 2 Duiven, 3 Zevenaar, 4 Didam and 5 Wehl in that order. At several of these stations you are able to rent a bike (OV-Fiets) or take a bus to get to your destination.

Getting around

As for all of the Netherlands, bikes can be used for short distance travel. For long distances, a (rental) car or bus is advised. The North of the region can also be travelled by train.

See

Castles 1 De Boetselaersborg, Het Kattenburg 6, NL-7041 AS 's-Heerenberg. The Boetselaersborg was built in 1550 by Daem and Hector, two bastard sons of Willem III of Bergh. It was damaged severely during the Eighty Years War, and it was fully restored by 1632. The settlement was largely expanded upon in 1725 and 1927. (updated Nov 2016) 2 Kasteel de Kemnade, De Kemnade 1, NL-7048 AC Wijnbergen, ☏ +31 651 449 804, [email protected]. The medieval castle De Kemnade is a small yet picturesque castle by the merging point of the Waalse Water and the river Oude IJssel. The building is privately owned, but its garden and some of the building can be visited when an appointment is made, which will get you an hour-long private tour organised by the owner. €5 per person, groups of eight or more required. (updated Nov 2016) 3 Huize de Byvanck, Melkweg, NL-7037 CN Beek. The Byvanck is a non-accessible, privately owned castle. Though it is privately owned, the surrounding estate can be visited freely. (updated Nov 2016) 4 Kasteel Huis Bergh (Bergh Castle), Hof van Bergh 8, NL-7041 AC 's-Heerenberg, ☏ +31 314 661 281, [email protected]. The Kasteel Huis Bergh or Bergh Castle is a castle in 's-Heerenberg, and used to be owned by the counts of Bergh. The building dates back to the 13th century, though the then constructed castle burned down in 1735. It was rebuilt shortly after. Nowadays the castle houses many Italian artworks and an extrordenary collection of medieval handwritings. Furthermore, the castle is occasionally used by travelling theatres. Adult €13.50; child (5-13) €8.50. (updated Nov 2016)

Museums Kasteel Huis Bergh (Bergh Castle), see above. 5 Muntwal (Bergh Mint), Muntwal 1, NL-7041 AA 's-Heerenberg, ☏ +31 314 661 281. The counts of Bergh had several minting companies at or near their castles in 's-Heerenberg. The mint, which was built upon medieval privileges given to the counts of Bergh, was blooming mostly in the 16th century. This mint specifically, has been

Do

1 Kartbaan Duiven, Nieuwgraaf 5, NL-6921 RJ Duiven, ☏ +31 263 115 997. The only karting track of the region. It offers an indoor track with many sharp corners and a difference in elevation, as both the ground floor and first floor are part of the track. €14. (updated Dec 2016)

Recreational waters 2 Rhederlaag, NL-6988 Lathum, ☏ +31 651 210 944. Rhederlaag is a recreational water between Giesbeek and the river IJssel. It has been created artificially to ease the number of visitors going to the Posbank. (updated Nov 2016) 3 Stroombroek, Het Stroombroek 1, NL-7047 AS Braamt, ☏ +31 651 210 944. Stroombroek is a lake created after the area was drained for sand needed for the construction of the A18. After it was competed, the created hole was filled with water to create a recreational beach. (updated Nov 2016) 4 De Nevelhorst, Nevelhorstpad 2, NL-6941 Didam. (updated Nov 2016)

Eat

1 Restaurant Vlees en Vis, Kerkweg 2, NL-6905 AW Zevenaar, ☏ +31 316 343 839. (updated Nov 2016) 2 Ask de Chef Zevenaar, Grietsestraat 51, NL-6901 GS Zevenaar, ☏ +31 882 773 295. (updated Nov 2016) 3 Restaurant de Revolutie, Markt 4, NL-6901 Zevenaar, ☏ +31 316 344 044. (updated Nov 2016) 4 't Raedthuys, Rijksweg 51, NL-6921 AC Duiven, ☏ +31 316 268 808. (updated Nov 2016) 5 Pannenkoekenhuis de Snippenhof, Parallelweg 23, NL-6922 HP Duiven, ☏ +31 316 282 818. (updated Nov 2016) 6 Pizza/Steak/Shoarma Hollywood, Dorpstraat 65, NL-6931 BD Westervoort, ☏ +31 263 118 165. (updated Nov 2016) 7 Juffrouw Tok, Tolweg 9, NL-6942 HX Didam, ☏ +31 316 221 312. (updated Nov 2016) 8 Steak'm, Smallestraat 33, NL-6942 HA Didam, ☏ +31 316 220 041. (updated Nov 2016) 9 Gunes, Schoolstraat 8, NL-6942 AK Didam, ☏ +31 316 228 980. (updated Nov 2016) 10 Ja