Hidden Belgium: The Roman Bridge at Erquelinnes

Hidden Belgium: The Roman Bridge at Erquelinnes

It isn’t Roman and it isn’t really a bridge, but it is still called the pont romain.

Located in a quiet wooded valley close to the French border, the bridge crosses the little River Hantes on 13 stone arches.

It stands close to the ancient Roman road from Trier to Bavai, but it was built in the middle ages as a barrage. Repaired many times over the centuries, it is now closed to traffic.

A shrine to the Virgin Mary stands in a little grotto nearby. Covered with teddy bears and urgent prayers, it adds to the mystery of this strange spot.

Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.


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