Before our cycle tour starts in the shadow of Cologne Cathedral, we recommend a visit to the Roman harbor road at Roncalliplatz. (The Roman-Germanic Museum is currently closed for renovation work. The information center on the Roman roads will be located in the interim quarters in the Belgisches Haus on Cäcilienstraße from autumn 2019). After a few initial bends, the tour heads west in a dead straight line along Aachener Straße, which still follows the exact course of the former Roman road. In the first 3 km alone, you pass four stations - St. Aposteln, Hahnentorburg, Aachener Weiher and the Melaten cemetery - where information points provide information about the Roman past and the connection to the Via Belgica. In Weiden, the treasure chest of the Rhineland's archaeological monuments awaits. The underground burial chamber, built from stone blocks weighing several tons and sealed with a massive trapdoor, was discovered by chance during construction work in 1843. It is the first archaeological monument on the Rhine to be preserved and made accessible to the public. The burial chamber from the 2nd century AD is luxuriously furnished as a dining room. The sofas and armchairs are made of precious marble and limestone, as if for eternity. The tour continues through Königsdorfer Forst, where deep cuts in the relief of the terrain at various points give an idea of the former course of the Via Belgica. A total of 1200m of the former road embankment, which deviates here from the straight alignment to the west, is still preserved. The last Roman legacy we pass is the Heidenburg, a fortified road station that bordered directly on the Roman imperial road. The remains of the ramparts and ditches are still clearly visible today. It can be assumed that it was built towards the end of the 2nd century. The aim of the regularly erected fortifications was to provide security on the main traffic arteries in times of unrest. The square fortification, measuring 60 x 60 meters, is well preserved in essential parts. The first stage ends at the train station in Quadrath-Ichendorf.

Highlights and Via Belgica stops along the route

• Roman harbor road at Roncalliplatz
• St. Aposteln
• Hahnentorburg
• Aachen Pond
• Melaten Cemetery
• Roman estate at the sports university
• Roman grave Weiden
• Heidenburg Castle