Gallo-Romeins Museum

About the museum

The museum traces its origins to the Royal Historical and Archaeological Society of Tongeren, which from the mid-19th century collected archaeological finds and had excavations carried out. In 1937 the collection ended up in the new Provincial Museum in the Begijnhof in Hasselt. In 1954 the first full-fledged museum in Tongeren followed, the Provincial Gallo-Roman Museum, which displayed the most important finds from the region.

In the early 1990s the province of Limburg decided to invest in a new building, which opened in 1994. When the number of visitors rose above 100,000 a year, the building became too small. In 2009 an extension was added to a design by the architectural firm De Gregorio & Partners: a sober building of natural stone with a limited above-ground volume, which blends into the townscape close to the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek. Daylight enters through sunken patios, a reference to archaeology.

In 2011 the museum received the title European Museum of the Year. Since 2018 the city of Tongeren has managed the building instead of the province. The collection spans the period from 500,000 years ago to AD 900. The focus lies on the Roman period, when Tongeren was the capital of the civitas Tungrorum. Alongside the permanent exhibition, the museum organises temporary exhibitions, lectures and an extensive programme for schools.

Highlights

• More than 2,000 objects from Neanderthals to the Romans
• Gold coin hoard that tells the story of Julius Caesar's conquest
• Bronze swords from the Iron Age
• Roman architectural fragments, jewellery, figurines of gods and tableware
• Richly furnished tumulus graves
• Child-friendly audio tour with archaeologist Bob de Graver

Permanent exhibition

• Van neanderthaler tot Gallo-Romein – The permanent exhibition shows more than 2,000 objects about life in the region, from Neanderthals and the first farmers to Celts, Gallo-Romans and Germanic peoples, supplemented with films, scale models and figures.

Founded

1954

Operated by

Stad Tongeren-Borgloon

Admission & discounts

Prices for the permanent exhibition “Van neanderthaler tot Gallo-Romein”. Free admission is available to, among others, holders of the museumPASSmusées, ICOM members, holders of the Riebedebie pass and the City Pass Tongeren-Borgloon, and people entitled to the social rate of Iedereen Verdient Vakantie. Holders of a Bokrijk subscription pay €5 (adults) or nothing (ages 4 to 18). Members of Davidsfonds, Willemsfonds and Cultuursmakers also pay €5. Members of the Gezinsbond receive €3 off in the form of loyalty points on the Gezinspas. Online tickets are recommended.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is easily accessible for wheelchair users; the route is the same as for other visitors. A few wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge. At the nearest car park, Vrijthof, 50 metres from the museum, there are spaces for people with reduced mobility. For blind and visually impaired visitors there is the Casa Romana guided tour with tactile models and floor plans. The museum has a visual step-by-step guide and a floor plan to help visitors prepare their visit.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

In 2026 the museum holds the blue dot of Museumpas for its permanent offer for children. Children get an audio tour with archaeologist Bob de Graver, there are interactive applications, scale models and lifelike figures, and the viewing tour is a treasure hunt for families with children aged 5 to 12. During holidays there are Supergidsen for families with children aged 4 to 12. For children aged 7 to 12 there is a Roman birthday party (€2 per child plus €85 for the guide).

Getting there & parking

The visitors' entrance is at Museumkwartier 5; the postal address is Kielenstraat 15. With a Discovery Ticket you can travel to Tongeren by train with 40% off.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café Amusée (Museumkwartier 3, www.amuseetongeren.be) serves meals, sandwiches, coffee and regional beer. Eating and drinking are not allowed in the exhibition. The museum shop is freely accessible.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 154 guests.

The auditorium (204 m², up to 154 people) can be hired for lectures and presentations on opening days, including after closing time (Tuesday to Friday until 22:30), in four-hour blocks.

Plan your visit