Roman catacombs

Ancient Rome in The Netherlands

Valkenburg aan de Geul - Thousands of years ago, during the persecution of Christians in Roman times, burying the dead was forbidden. All deceased had to be cremated by the government. For Christians, however, cremation was a pagan custom. That is why they secretly built underground spaces - catacombs - where they could lay their loved ones to rest. The most famous catacombs can be found in Rome, but you can also visit Roman catacombs in the Netherlands!

The Cauberg

Under the direction of architect Cuypers (known for the Central Station in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum and countless other buildings in the Netherlands), a faithful copy of these Roman catacombs was made in a marl quarry in the Cauberg in Valkenburg between 1908 and 1912.

Underground labyrinth

The tunnel system is a true labyrinth and so extensive that you can easily walk around it for 6 weeks without taking the same route twice. You can therefore only visit the Valkenburg catacombs under the guidance of a guide.
The walk along the endless rows of graves is given an extra dimension by a single stray bat, the cold, the darkness and the stories of the guide.

Terracotta or marble?

Most graves are carved into the walls of the corridors. After the dead had been buried, the niche was lined with a terracotta slab or, if one was a bit richer, with a marble slab.

Eight rich families had their own burial chamber, the walls of which were decorated with paintings. They also had larger tombs, in the form of an arch.