Bodegraven

Bodegraven has been inhabited since Roman times. At that time, it was located on the northern border of the Roman Empire, the 'Limes'. On the Roman side of this Limes, there were many military and trading activities. The Romans established camps, ports, and a road there. The border was fortified at more or less regular intervals with border forts (castella), manned by Roman legions and auxiliary troops. Additionally, settlements had formed along the road that ran next to the Limes, including present-day Bodegraven.

In the late Middle Ages, much land was reclaimed around Bodegraven, which was located in a marshy area. These reclamations occurred from the higher riverbanks such as the Old Rhine, the Meije, and the Old Bodegrave. Perpendicular to these waterways, ditch plots were dug, and about 1250 meters further a so-called back ditch was dug. Through these reclamations, the typical parceling shape emerged. After the construction of a sluice around 1350, Bodegraven had forever earned its right to exist.

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