Castellum Hoge Woerd
Castellum Hoge Woerd, situated in Utrecht’s Leidsche Rijn neighbourhood, is a modern interpretation of a centuries-old Roman fort. Behind the high walls you will find an archaeological museum, a theatre, a centre for nature and environmental education and a cafe-restaurant.
History
One day in 1997, contractors building the Leidsche Rijn residential area stumbled by chance upon the entire infrastructure of the Roman border: the border road, the river and a ship. A large-scale archaeological excavation followed, and more and more everyday objects and other remnants from the Roman period were found. This yielded interesting new insights into how the Roman limes functioned in our country.
In 2007, the decision was made to showcase all these finds in a culture park: the current Castellum Hoge Woerd. The site where Romans once guarded the river now houses a modern fort with six-metre high walls. Archaeological treasures tend to remain hidden beneath the ground, but here they can be seen and experienced from up close in a really direct and striking way.
Theatre
Castellum Hoge Woerd’s theatre seats 229, and stages shows around three times a week, ranging from stand-up comedy and cabaret to family and children’s shows, theatre, musical theatre and dance.
Castellum Café
The Castellum Café is open daily from 10 am for coffee and cake, lunch and dinner. The cafe uses organic and local produce wherever possible. In a nod to the site’s Roman history, the menu is inspired by Italian cuisine.
Museum
In the museum, you can learn all about Utrecht’s Roman history. The jewel of the collection is the Roman ship De Meern I. This inland vessel from 150 AD had to undergo conservation for 12 years before it could be exhibited. In the museum, visitors can walk around the ship and view it from above.
Opening times
Castellum Hoge Woerd is open daily from 10 am until 5 pm. Castellum Café is also open daily from 10 am for coffee, lunch and dinner. The kitchen closes at 10 pm.
Entry to both the site and the museum is free.
Accessibility information
Wheelchair access: +
Public toilet: +
Comments
Auditory/visual impairments:
service dogs allowed.
Legend
++ Accessible independently
+ Accessible
+/- Limited accessibility
- Not suitable for wheelchair users
