Zwammerdam brings together several distinct historical themes: the Roman fort of Nigrum Pullum on the Limes in Zuid-Holland, the ships discovered there, and churches and memorial sites from later centuries. This shift in focus is revealing when choosing a destination for a short trip: the Roman remains tell of the military and shipping, while church architecture and memorials recall other periods and communities.
Roman Fort and Ships
The fort of Nigrum Pullum stood on the Roman Limes in Zuid-Holland. It is considered the smallest known fort on the Lower Germanic Limes and covered about 1.2 hectares. Around 300 Roman soldiers lived there. Several hundred civilians are believed to have lived in the adjacent vicus, including women, children, craftspeople and merchants. The picture of the site therefore includes both the military base and its neighbouring civilian settlement: the Roman history of Zwammerdam is about not only the fortifications, but also life around the fort.
On the grounds of the Ipse de Bruggen care facility in Zwammerdam, the foundations of the stone rear gate, part of the wall and part of the associated headquarters, the Principia, have been made visible in the landscape.
During excavations in Zwammerdam in the 1970s, six Roman ships were discovered: three canoes and three flat-bottomed boats. The first discovery dates back to December 1971. During work on an underground transport system on the grounds of Hooge Burgh, old wood was found that turned out to be a Roman dugout canoe. Five more Roman river ships were found shortly afterwards. Their particularly complete state of preservation was unusual for ships of this type.
Church Architecture and Remembrance
The Remonstrant Schuilkerk is the oldest Remonstrant church building still used as such for quarterly regional services. The original Remonstrant church was built in 1636, destroyed by French troops in 1672 and returned to use after restoration in 1676.
The Dutch Reformed Church in Zwammerdam is a single-nave, late Gothic cruciform church with a five-sided closed choir and wooden barrel vaults with tie beams. Together with the history of the Remonstrant church, it offers further insight into the town’s different ecclesiastical and architectural chapters.
The resistance memorial commemorates four local resistance fighters who were shot by the occupying forces during the Second World War. Two grave plaques at the memorial also commemorate nine Dutch military personnel. Thus, two forms of remembrance stand side by side at the same memorial site: the memory of local resistance fighters and the grave plaques for military personnel.
Routes with Different Focuses
Stage 05 of the Romeinse Limespad is a waymarked route characterised by rivers, canals and agricultural land. It leads from Zwammerdam to the place where the Nigrum Pullum fort, a camp village, quays and ships were discovered. Its character thus brings together a waterside and agricultural landscape with an archaeological destination.
The route “Wandelen door Nigrvm Pvllvm & Zwammerdam” starts at the De Haven visitor centre. Roman objects are on display there; the exhibits may change. It ends at a modern Limes landing stage, which recalls the former Roman harbour activity. In contrast to Stage 05, this route has specific start and end points: the visitor centre and the landing stage.
The Historic Town Centre
The layout of the historic town centre also shapes Zwammerdam’s character: the buildings are grouped compactly, the winding street pattern creates short sightlines, and the street profiles are narrow. These features describe the town centre as an urban unit and complement the individual archaeological sites, churches and memorials with a view of the town’s overall form.
Discover more destinations: Alphen Aan Den Rijn, Aarlanderveen.
Return to the main travel overview: Alphen Aan Den Rijn.
