Musée gallo-romain de Biesheim

About the museum

The Gallo-Roman Museum of Biesheim opened in 1990 in a contemporary building, the Capitole, in the town centre. It exclusively presents finds from the Oedenburg site, a vast ancient settlement of some 200 hectares north of Biesheim, on the site of a medieval village destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War. The location is strategic: it faces the Gallic oppidum of Mons Brisiacus, lies at a crossing point of the Rhine and at the junction of many roads, north of the territory of the Rauraci, whose capital was Augusta Raurica.

The archaeological potential of the site led to a major research programme, carried out with the universities of Freiburg im Breisgau and Basel. Excavations have shed light on the origins and organization of the settlement: a religious complex from the very beginning of the Common Era, two legionary camps in the 1st century, a civilian settlement that developed afterwards, and finally, in Late Antiquity, a road station and a fortified imperial palace that defended the Rhine frontier.

The permanent route is organized into four thematic areas and supplemented by numerous explanatory panels. It covers the military presence, funerary rites, religion and everyday life. The centrepiece is an intaglio showing Emperor Commodus on horseback.

Highlights

• Intaglio of Emperor Commodus, the centrepiece of the collection
• Silver ingot in the shape of a double axe, made in Naissus
• Gilded silver statuette of Isis-Fortuna, found in a military camp
• Votive deposit of more than 90 miniature vessels
• Intact sandstone sarcophagus with geometric decoration

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent : l'agglomération gallo-romaine d'Oedenburg – Four thematic areas present the Roman army, funerary rites, religion and everyday life, based on the excavations at Oedenburg.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Commune de Biesheim

Visitors per year

approx. 6,900

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of every month, for all visitors

Free admission with proof for school classes from the Strasbourg Academy, holders of an ICOM or ICOMOS card, group accompanying adults and teachers holding the Pass Éducation.

Accessibility

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

According to the town, the visit is accessible to people with reduced mobility and to people with hearing, intellectual or psychological impairments. The entrance is on the ground floor of the Capitole, on the Rue de l’Église side.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Workshops and games for everything from primary schools to high schools and leisure centres, from age 7. Admission is free for children under 18.

Getting there & parking

The museum entrance is on the ground floor of the Capitole, Rue de l’Église.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit