The story of Heerlen, part 1: The Romans

We all want to be happy

Coriovallum means "place where the army commander lives. The Romans chose that spot for a reason, when they set up camp at that important junction between the Via Belgica and the Via Traiana. They saw the richness of the landscape; the chalk, the gravel, the fertile loess and the clean water of two streams - the Caumerbeek and the Geleenbeek. Here you could live well. And they saw the strategic importance of this area. Close to the front lines on the Rhine that had to be protected. And close to Colonia where a small Rome was being built.

The grave of Private Flaccus recently found in Council House Square dates back to the very early days when Coriovallum was founded. Flaccus presumably belonged to the army unit that first settled here. But for a long time, those soldiers were not alone. Where soldiers live, commerce arises. And even more business comes as all kinds of high officials from Rome and other parts of the Roman Empire come this way to govern Germania Inferior.

A wave of innovation

When the Romans came, Germanics and Gauls lived in our region. They lived in small farming settlements of about 20 people scattered throughout the hill country. They built their houses from loam and thatch. With the arrival of the Romans, a wave of innovation breaks out as the Romans bring with them all kinds of modern techniques. They built their temples, houses and, a little later, the bathhouse with stone and mortar. And for the roofs they use ceramic tiles. All kinds of craftsmen settle in Coriovallum. They all bring knowledge with them: architects and carpenters, doctors, millers and bakers, butchers and tanners, blacksmiths and potters. Excavations have already found more than 50 kilns. Good for thousands of pots, jugs, plates, bowls and more.

Utere Felix

In Roman times, most people simply worked at home. Roman vicus houses are narrow and deep. At the front of the house is a workshop, where passersby can walk in to do their shopping. New trades also appear, such as barbers, tailors making beautiful tunics, and goldsmiths making jewelry. In addition to lots of beautiful pins, excavations have also found, for example, a bracelet and a ring with the inscription Utere Felix, "that you may be happy. Those ornaments show that not much actually changes in history. We all want to be happy.

A lively center

The bathhouse that houses the most important remnants of Heerlen's Roman past was built around 50 or 60 AD. It is perhaps the most important meeting place in Corriovallum. Apart from bathing, people come here to play games, listen to lectures, have debates or enjoy theater or music performances. By the end of the first century, perhaps 1,000 people live here. Coriovallum has then grown into such an important trading center that even merchants from France and Spain come here to sell olive oil, wine, sweet apricots, chickens, herbs and buy indigenous products in the busy market. These they take back south with them. Farmers in the countryside are taking full advantage of the growth. The people are having a good time. 

The end of an era

From the year 250, the Roman heyday ends. The Franks invade Germania Inferior and a period of wars begins. The important Coriovallum is a target. The devastation is extensive. Emperor Constantine tries to rebuild the city at the beginning of the fourth century. The bathhouse then turns into a fortress needed to protect the city. For it remains unsettled. Around 500, the Western Roman Empire falls and very abruptly ends the once flourishing Coriovallum. Just as centuries later the flourishing mining era comes to a very abrupt end. The city has to reinvent itself repeatedly throughout history. And succeeds each time in a unique way."