Potters – Schutterspark
Along the Roode Beek in the Schutterspark lies the story of the medieval potters who made Brunssum internationally famous.
It was the Romans who first discovered that the clay from the valley of the Roode Beek in Brunssum and Schinveld was suitable for industrial purposes. Here, amidst the sand, water, wood and clay, a ceramics industry emerged that continued to thrive well into the post-medieval period. This pottery, proto-stoneware and stoneware, was produced from the second half of the 11th century until the mid-14th century and traded as far afield as Germany, France and even Spain and Norway. It is usually referred to as Brunssum-Schinveld pottery or South Limburg pottery. Around the second half of the 14th century, the production of Brunssum-Schinveld pottery came to an end due to competition from potteries in the Rhineland and the rise of urban potters within the Netherlands.
Notable archaeological finds
The potters along the Roode Beek used kilns they had built themselves, which often had to fire for two weeks to reach the correct temperature. This intense process has left us a wealth of archaeological finds, enabling us to date the history of this region. The firing process and the special clay produced perfectly fired, high-quality pottery that was much loved and sought after.
Step into the past
Explore the archaeological secrets of Schutterspark and let the Rode Beek take you back to a time when Brunssum’s potters supplied ceramics to all of Europe. With the Archeo Route app, you can discover how this part of Limburg was once a bustling center of craftsmanship.