limburg

Limburg has a strong character of its own, both culturally and in the landscape.
A large part of the population speaks one of the many Limburg dialects, which have a special place in Dutch. The population has traditionally been largely Roman Catholic. Until well into the twentieth century, the Church also had a strong social presence. The province forms its own diocese, the Diocese of Roermond.

From the later Middle Ages, the territory of present-day Limburg was usually divided between the Duchy of Brabant, Duchy of Gelre, Duchy of Gulik, the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, the Prince-Bishop of Cologne and the Medieval Duchy of Limburg. These dukes and bishops were nominally dependents of the emperor of the Roman Empire, but in practice they behaved as independent princes, often at war with one another. Their conflicts were often fought in Limburg area, which contributed to the fragmentation of the area.

The economy of the southern part of the Dutch province of Limburg has been largely dominated by the ceramic industry and coal mining for two generations.

Dutch Mining Museum

The museum’s collection is spread over three floors in the shaft building, an outbuilding and the grounds surrounding the building. The collection includes various items used in mining and by miners such as mining lamps, finishing hammers, styles, hoods and other mining equipment. This is also called the Rein Bettink Collection. [source?] The mine lift and the original retrieval machine dating from 1897 can also be viewed. In front of the museum are several train carriages and a narrow gauge railway. Next to the shaft building is the opening of an adjacent shaft. The shaft is covered with a concrete slab.

The Miljoenenlijn is a beautiful railway line right through the South Limburg Heuvelland.

The Miljoenenlijn is a beautiful railway line right through the South Limburg Heuvelland.
Board the steam train that is over 100 years old at Simpelveld Station, let yourself be carried away by the enchanting landscape and take a nostalgic journey back in time. Experience the romance of traveling from days gone by and dream away in the luxurious plush of the 1st class carriages… The large station yard of Simpelveld is worth exploring: a bustling place where long coal mining trains once left for the north and travelers embarked on a train ride to distant European destinations. Also pay a visit to the workshop in Simpelveld, where all the rolling stock is maintained by the enthusiastic volunteers.

Valkenburg is the largest tourist attraction in Limburg.

Hidden between the moss-green hills, in the heart of the protected Heuvelland nature reserve, the marl town glitters as the center, with its rich tourist tradition: a major attraction for more than 135 years. The charming medieval city center is full of terraces and shops around the impressive castle ruins and above the ancient systems of corridors.