The area around Nijmegen and the outlaying river-plain of the Betuwe and the Gelderse Poort became part of the Roman Empire 2000 years ago. The Limes ran the width of the Netherlands, marked by watchtowers, castella and an important legionary fortress at Nijmegen. Roman warships patrolled the river. With the Romans cam an allied people, the Batavians, who are reputed to be the founding fathers of the Dutch people. But who really were these people, this Iron Age tribe? What influence did the Romans have in their everyday lives? What did the soldier do al day, how did they live? What did they eat, how did they practice? Could they write an and so, what did they write to whom? These questions are seldom answered in history-books. But archaeological research has already provided many answers. Answers often only accessible through literature and musea, media with a high threshold.

Noviolocus answers these questions, and many more, in a highly accessible, exiting manner for a broad public. The visitor may learn about this civilisation in many ways, through watching, feeling, listening, smelling and tasting.

For the youthful and elderly alike shows and demonstrations are staged daily. Noviolocus is a saga! An exiting saga about the time that Romans and Batavians lived on and defended the border. The saga is brought to life in an accurately reconstructed settlement along the border, set in the times of Marcus Aurelius, the last of the Good Emperors and guardian of the Pax Romana. In this setting re-enactors and volunteers tell the tales of the Roman soldiers, citizens and their Batavian neighbours.

The buildings support the saga and through their appearance and cohesion create a unique setting. Our visitors are immersed in the past. We have chosen the buildings carefully, to create an optimal usefulness and versatility. This park is more then viewing huts and houses!