Tongeren and the Roman Heritage

Tongeren, in Limburg province in Belgium's Flemish Region, is regarded as Belgium's oldest town, founded by the Romans as Atuatuca Tungrorum. It lies about 30 km from Hasselt, and SNCB trains from Hasselt take 30 to 40 minutes, so the train is the recommended transport; De Lijn buses also serve the town. The compact centre can be covered on foot, and the station is within walking distance of the main sights. The Gallo-Roman Museum, a modern building on Kielenstraat, holds one of the leading Roman collections in Belgium, with displays on daily life, burial customs and the Tungri tribe, and the exhibits are presented with clear context. Remains of the Roman city wall, built in the second century, survive in parts of the old town, including towers such as the Vesten and gates still visible near the edge of the centre. The Basilica of Our Lady, a Gothic church on the Grote Markt, holds a treasury with medieval goldsmith work and a cloister, and the statue of Ambiorix, the Eburones chieftain who rebelled against Caesar, stands on the Grote Markt. The Beguinage of Tongeren is another notable stop. A day can begin with the Gallo-Roman Museum in the morning, followed by a walk along the surviving wall segments. Lunch suits the restaurants around the Grote Markt. The afternoon is for the Basilica and treasury and a stroll through the Beguinage. Sunday is a special day because the town holds a long-running antiques and second-hand market, one of the biggest in the Benelux, drawing dealers and collectors, so the town is lively but crowded then. The best season runs from April to October, for walking the wall and enjoying outdoor seating, though the museums work in any weather. Return tickets from Hasselt cost about €5 to €8 each way.