When Hanneke Schreiber walks through the Botanical Garden Kerkrade, she does not only see flowers, trees and herbs. She sees stories. Stories that were written down almost two thousand years ago and that today come back to life among the greenery.
For Via Belgica, the collection manager developed a special walk featuring thirteen Roman plants. It is not a traditional guided tour, but a journey of discovery during which visitors become acquainted with the plants the Romans used as food, medicine, building material and as a source of inspiration for their myths.
“I did not want to tell what we think the Romans did. I wanted to let the Romans speak for themselves.” – Hanneke Schreiber
Although Hanneke is officially retired, she still remains connected to the Botanical Garden one day a week as collection manager.
She did not start this work yesterday. Previously, she was, among other things, head gardener of the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam. Her passion for plants developed into a lifelong fascination.
“A botanical garden is actually a living museum,” she explains. “Every specimen has its own history. Every plant belongs to the collection and must be carefully documented and managed.”
That is exactly what makes this garden so special. Here, heritage literally continues to grow every single day.
The Botanical Garden itself has a remarkable history.
During the era of the State Mines, the idea arose to create a place where nature, relaxation and knowledge came together for miners and their families. Thanks to financial support from the State Mines Fund, that dream became reality.
The Belgian landscape architect John Bergmans designed, together with gardener Jos van Loo, a garden in which sightlines, remarkable plant collections and green heritage played a central role. Because of the Second World War, the official opening was postponed for many years. It was only in 1945 that the general public could fully enjoy the garden.
Today, that same garden once again forms a place where visitors set out on a journey of discovery.
When Roger van de Poel asked Hanneke to develop a Roman plant trail, she began a search that lasted several months. Which plants did the Romans actually use? And, even more importantly, which stories are historically reliable?
“The most difficult part was not finding the plants, but finding reliable sources.”
That is why Hanneke decided to return to the original authors of classical antiquity. Not modern websites. No legends. But the writings of Cato the Elder, Virgil, Ovid, Vitruvius, Dioscorides, Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger. Their texts form the common thread running through the walk.
At every plant, a quotation from the Roman world awaits. At the olive tree, you can read how Cato the Elder carefully describes how an olive tree should be planted.
“Treat olive cuttings with care, so that the bark does not suffer damage.”
Among the conifers, you then imagine yourself in Diana’s hunting grounds, where Ovid writes:
“There is a mountain valley, rich in pointed firs and cypresses, Diana’s sacred hunting ground…”
At the fig tree, Cato even gives practical advice on storage:
“If you wish to keep dried figs well, store them in an earthenware vessel.”
In this way, you do not only walk past plants, but also past voices from antiquity.
The trail shows that plants meant far more to the Romans than simply food. Sage was used as a medicine. Thyme supported beekeeping. Laurel symbolised victory. Cedar wood and juniper were used in buildings. Grapes evoked the world of Bacchus, while boxwood adorned luxurious Roman ornamental gardens.
Even a simple onion turns out to have its own story. The walk clearly shows how much knowledge the Romans brought with them when they travelled to our region along the Via Belgica. Not only soldiers and merchants travelled this road, but also ideas, agricultural techniques and plants that permanently changed our region.
What makes this trail so special is that science and experience go hand in hand. For the thirteen plants, Hanneke developed a compact walking guide in which historical background, botanical knowledge and original Roman quotations come together. The recognisable signs bearing the Roman helmet guide visitors along the route. Every stop invites visitors to pause for a moment. Not only to look at a plant, but to discover its story.
For Roger van de Poel, who is responsible for the organisational development of the Botanical Garden, the collaboration with Via Belgica was a logical next step.
“Via Belgica was looking for entrepreneurs and partners who help make the Roman past visible. We immediately saw how well the Botanical Garden fits into that.”
For Roger, too, education is at the heart of everything. He originally trained as a cameraman and worked for many years on educational television projects. Passing on knowledge is deeply rooted in his DNA.
“A garden should not only allow people to enjoy themselves, but also teach them something.”
According to Roger, the Roman Plant Trail gives the Botanical Garden a new dimension.
Via Belgica has now become part of the international VIA VIA project, in which Roman stories connect visitors from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The Botanical Garden fits seamlessly into this initiative.
Together with VIA VIA, work is being done on the further development of the garden. Roger helps to prepare the annual plan, thinks about new visitor experiences and explores how the Botanical Garden can continue to develop. The Roman Plant Trail is an invitation to a new audience. Not only for plant lovers, but for everyone who wants to discover how a simple fig tree, fragrant sage or a laurel shrub can suddenly take you back two thousand years in time.
Sometimes you do not have to step inside a museum to experience history.
Sometimes all you have to do is follow a garden path.
And look carefully.
Because among the leaves, the Romans are still whispering their stories.
Then feel free to contact us at info@viavia.eu. We will help you develop your unique, Roman-inspired product.
You develop a product inspired by the Roman past and offer it to your customers.
You keep us informed if there is any change in your offer.
You may participate annually in the inspiration sessions ‘Friends of VIAVIA’.
You will be connected with the necessary specialists to help develop your product. For example, if you wish to blow glass, we will bring you into contact with a specialist in Roman glassmaking for inspiration.
We conduct an interview and create a photo report.
We highlight your business and your products on our website, social media, and other promotional materials.
Events are organised regularly, and you will have the opportunity — without obligation — to present your product(s) and your business.
The Interreg Meuse-Rhine program recognized the VIA VIA tourism project as a good initiative for an implementation amount of €4,567,252.40 and granted an ERDF contribution of €2,283,626.17. The project is also supported by the European Union, with co-financing provided by the Wirtschaftsministerium Nordrhein-Westfalen, the Province of Limburg, and Regio Deal Parkstad Limburg.
