The Rich Tapestry of Nijmegen: A Dutch City Shaped by War, Migration, and Climate Change
Home / Nijmegen history
Nijmegen, often called the oldest city in the Netherlands, has a history that stretches back over 2,000 years. Founded by the Romans as Noviomagus, it was a strategic military outpost along the Rhine. Today, the city’s ancient roots are still visible in its architecture, archaeological sites, and cultural DNA. But beyond its historical charm, Nijmegen’s past offers lessons on resilience—a theme that resonates deeply in today’s world of geopolitical tensions, refugee crises, and environmental challenges.
The Romans weren’t the only ones who saw Nijmegen’s strategic value. By the Middle Ages, it had become a key trading hub under Charlemagne’s Holy Roman Empire. The Valkhof, a fortress built by the emperor, still stands as a reminder of this era. Yet, Nijmegen’s prosperity also made it a target. The city was sacked by Vikings in 880, a stark parallel to modern-day conflicts where economic centers become battlegrounds.
Few cities in Europe have witnessed as much destruction and rebirth as Nijmegen. Its location near the German border made it a focal point during World War II, particularly during Operation Market Garden in 1944. The Allies’ failed attempt to secure key bridges led to devastating bombings, reducing much of the city to rubble.
Post-war Nijmegen became a symbol of resilience. Like many European cities today facing reconstruction after conflicts (think of Mariupol in Ukraine), Nijmegen had to rebuild not just its buildings but its identity. The modernist architecture that replaced the old city center remains controversial—a debate mirrored in cities like Warsaw, where historical preservation clashes with urban development.
Nijmegen’s history is also a story of migration. After WWII, the city welcomed thousands of displaced persons, including many from the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia). Today, nearly a quarter of Nijmegen’s population has a migration background, with significant communities from Turkey, Morocco, and Syria.
The city’s approach to integration offers insights into today’s heated debates on immigration. Nijmegen has been relatively successful in fostering multiculturalism, but tensions occasionally flare—echoing broader European struggles with far-right movements and social cohesion. The 2023 local elections saw gains for anti-immigration parties, a trend seen across the Netherlands and beyond.
Nijmegen’s relationship with the Waal River is a double-edged sword. The river brought trade and prosperity, but it also brought floods. In 1995, near-catastrophic flooding forced the evacuation of 250,000 people—a precursor to today’s climate-driven disasters.
In response, Nijmegen pioneered the Room for the River program, an innovative flood management strategy that combines water control with urban development. By creating artificial floodplains and relocating dikes, the city reduced flood risks while adding parks and recreational spaces. This model is now studied worldwide, from Bangladesh to New Orleans, as cities grapple with rising sea levels and extreme weather.
Known for its left-leaning politics and vibrant student population, Nijmegen has embraced sustainability like few other Dutch cities. It was named the European Green Capital in 2018, thanks to its bike-friendly infrastructure, renewable energy projects, and urban farming initiatives.
The city’s activism extends to global issues. In 2023, Nijmegen became the first Dutch city to divest from fossil fuels entirely—a bold move in a country still heavily reliant on natural gas. This stance has drawn both praise and criticism, reflecting the broader tension between economic stability and environmental urgency.
As Nijmegen looks ahead, it faces challenges familiar to many historic cities: balancing growth with preservation, fostering unity in diversity, and preparing for a climate-altered future. Its past suggests it will meet these challenges with the same resilience that has defined it for two millennia.