Valkhof Park
Valkhofpark
Nijmegen's oldest hilltop park, preserving the Carolingian Chapel of St. Nicholas and the ruins of the Barbarossa Castle, with views over the Waal River and its bridge.
The Valkhof is a hill overlooking the Waal River. It was a Roman military camp, and Emperors Charlemagne and Barbarossa both built palaces here. The castle was demolished in 1796, leaving only the 16-sided Chapel of St. Nicholas, dating to around 1030 and one of the oldest buildings in the Netherlands, along with the remains of the apse of Barbarossa's castle. The adjoining Hunner Park contains the Belvédère observation tower, which now houses a restaurant. The park is free to visit and is about a five-minute walk from the Grote Markt, with views over the Waal Bridge and the riverbanks.
Opening hours
Park open all day; chapel hours vary (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Valkhof Museum
- Museum De Bastei
- Velorama National Bicycle Museum
- Waalbrug
- Waalkade
- Nijmegen Old Town
- St. Stephen's Church
- Spiegelwaal & Veur-Lent