Roermond

Dedicated to St. Cristopher, this Gothic cathedral was built in the early 15th century and became a cathedral in 1661. It is a major feature in the city skyscape and a national monument. Significant changes were made when the structure was rebuilt after substantial damages in World War II.

This Late Romanesque Our Lady church originates in the beginning of the 13th century and is one of the most prominent examples of this kind of church architecture in the country. It was built as part of an abbey for Cistercian nuns, but is now the only remainder of that structure. In the mid-19th century, extensive restorations were carried out by famous local architect Pierre Cuypers. He demolished the baroque clock tower and replaced the 8-sided towers by square ones. His changes were controversial, but although the neo-gothic interior he placed was removed later, the outside changes remained. When the church sustained great damage after a 1992 earthquake, it was restored according to the Cuypers (exterior) design. The decorated kiosk outside the church was built in 1888, belongs to the church and is listed as a monument too. So is the 1752 stone water pump you'll notice on the square, but this used to stand in the Steegstraat and is unrelated to the Munster church.

The city hall is one of the most prominent buildings on the market square. It got its current facade around 1700 and was restored and changed by famous architect Carl Weber in 1876. The little tower has a carillon and every day at noon a group of images turns around it.

The Maasplassen were formed through the extraction of gravel, and it is now the largest recreational water sports area in the country. All kinds of activities take place here, including sailing, windsurfing, diving, water skiing and swimming. There are several beaches, popular in summer, with restaurants and other facilities. Dagstrand De Weerd is the closest one to Roermond, at the outskirts of the city. At a few designated places it's allowed to fish without a fishing permit.

Roermond has turned shopping into a tourist activity. Follow the crowds and shop till you drop at the extensive Outlet Centre. With some 120 shops selling brand products at discount prices, this shopping centre is highly popular among Dutch and German visitors. In fact, in terms of visitors, it stands as the second most popular attraction in the Netherlands. It's about a 15-minute walk from Roermond train station. There are shuttle buses to the city centre, but also to major German cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf.