Tongeren is officially the oldest town in Belgium — a captivating Roman-founded city in the Flemish province of Limburg where 2,000 years of history are woven into every cobblestone street, medieval rampart, and Roman archaeological find. Best known today for its sprawling Sunday antiques market — the largest in the Benelux — Tongeren offers a perfect blend of ancient heritage and lively modern culture, all within easy reach of Brussels and Liège.

Quick Facts: Tongeren, Belgium

• Best time to visit Tongeren: Sundays year-round for the famous antiques market; summer for the Kroningsfeesten (Coronation Festival) every seven years (next: 2030)
• Top attractions in Tongeren: Gallo-Roman Museum, Basilica of Our Lady, Roman wall remnants, and the Sunday antiques market
• How to get to Tongeren: ~1 hour from Brussels by car (E40); direct train from Brussels to Tongeren station (~1hr 20min); ~25 minutes from Liège
• Market days: Antiques market every Sunday morning (6am–1pm) — over 350 stalls
• Best for: History lovers, antique hunters, and those seeking authentic Flemish culture

Tongeren’s Roman Heritage

Founded in 15 BC as Atuatuca Tungrorum, Tongeren was a major Roman administrative and military centre — one of the most important settlements in the province of Germania Inferior. The town’s 4th-century Roman walls, once stretching for 4.5 kilometres, are among the best-preserved in northern Europe. Sections of the original Roman wall and defensive towers can still be seen on the Caesarlaan and the Leopoldwal today.

The Gallo-Roman Museum — awarded European Museum of the Year in 2011 — is an architectural masterpiece that brings Roman Tongeren vividly to life through immersive exhibits, interactive displays, and over 2,000 archaeological objects unearthed from the city and surrounding region. The permanent collection includes gold coins, jewellery, glassware, and the famous Tongeren Roman milestone.

Beyond the Antiques Market

• Basilica of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek): A magnificent Gothic basilica built between 1240 and 1544, housing a treasury with one of Belgium’s finest collections of religious art, including a 9th-century Merovingian Gospel book.
• Begijnhof (Béguinage): A UNESCO-listed walled enclave of 17th-century whitewashed houses around a peaceful courtyard — one of 13 Flemish béguinages recognised by UNESCO.
• Moerenpoort: The last surviving medieval city gate, dating from 1379, now housing a small arms and armour museum.
• Ambiorix Statue: The city’s central square is dominated by a monumental bronze statue of Ambiorix, the Belgic chieftain who famously defeated Julius Caesar’s legions in 54 BC.

Tongeren is the oldest town in Belgium, founded in the year 15 BC. Initially served as a base and supply station for the Roman troops in the Rhine region but grew rapidly into large commercial center and into one of the largest cities in the north of Gaul.

The first Roman city wall from the 2nd century is a silent witness of Roman occupation. On the town square stands the statue of Ambiorix, who withstood Claire Ceasar’s legions.

The antique market attracts thousands of tourists each Sunday. Tongeren is a city where history still lives and breathes, but it is also a city with a young, dynamic heart.

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Planning a trip to Tongeren or exploring historic Belgian towns? Share your experiences in the comments — especially if you’ve found treasure at the famous antiques market! 🏺

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