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The web site of the Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren
 

Atuatuca Tungrorum, the ancient name of tongeren, was in Roman days the administrative capital of the district (civitas) Tungri. These Tungri were at the time of Emperor August (27 B.C. - 14 A.D.) a governmental federation of a few autochtonian tribes who decennia before offered resistance to the invading Roman army of Julius Caesar. One of these tribes, namely the Eburons, under the command of their King Ambiorix, won a victory against the Roman Legion in 54 B.C. That battle took place near Atuatuca, a yet unknown area in the Eburone country, where Romans had their winter quarters.

After the final establishment of Roman authority, Atua(tu)ca became the capital of the civitas Tungrorum. This early settlement on the crossing of important Roman roads will develop in the following centuries as a true Roman Town (municipium) with it's typical public and private buildings, streets and monumental townwall. The expansion of the of the Roman culture had a great influence on the evolution of the surrounding country-side, where the wealthy farmers created many villa's and characteristic tumuli. As a result of continuous raids by German tribes into northern gaul, the town was provided with a new, but shorter, town wall with numerous towers. In the late Roman period the Tongeren civitas became, like it's sister towns of Cologne and Trier, the center of a Christian diocese, where the first religious preachers, St-Martin and St-Servatius probable had their bishop's seat for some period.
Archeological excavations in the older town center and associated sites revealed many remains which together with a few very characteristic discoveries from the country side, present a vivid picture of the Roman past of the town, and it's region.

Which role Tongeren played in early medieval times is, in spite of a few rare discoveries, not clear. It is only that the town again stands in the light of history with the construction of a new church and foundation of an order of the canons. All this occurred as a continuation of the Christian tradition - in the area of our Lady's church in which environment also the chapel of St-Martin, memorial church and the old bishops residence had stood. The center of this monastery
The center of this monastery previously surrounded by a primitive fence, will form the basis of the later town development after demolition of the Romanesque Minster and the rebuilding of the still existing cloister. A begin was made to build the Our Lady's Basilica, in the first half of the 13th century in the gothic style.From this time on the town developed and attracted merchants, traders and craftsmen after the building of the 13th century town hall.The town expanded with different monasteries, a few parish churches and the beguinage.

Tongeren, one of the good towns of Liege, was almost completely burned down in 1677 by the troops of Louis XIV, from which the town hardly recovered; It was only after 1830 that one can speak of a real revival.

More than 2000 years of history have left an exceptionally rich cultural-historical patrimonium.

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