Archäologiepark Belginum

About the museum

On the plateau near Wederath, a settlement lay in Celtic and Roman times on the long-distance road between Trier and the Rhine. For around eight centuries, from roughly the 4th century BC to the 4th century AD, the inhabitants buried their dead in a nearby cemetery, which with over 2,500 graves ranks among the great archaeological sites of Central Europe. The Roman settlement of Belginum is even recorded on a late antique road map.

Finds had been known here since the 17th century; over more than five decades of research, several temple precincts and an early Roman military camp came to light alongside the settlement and cemetery. In 2002 the municipality of Morbach opened a museum in the middle of the ancient roadside village, which is now part of the Archäologiepark Belginum cultural center. A friends' association has supported the museum since 2001.

The permanent exhibition "Life on a Long-Distance Road" shows original finds on loan from the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier and explains the everyday life, crafts, religion and burial customs of the people, as well as the methods of archaeology. Outside, a path of just under one kilometer with information boards leads to the find sites, to a rebuilt well and to reconstructed burial mounds. Special exhibitions that change annually and an extensive museum education program round out the offering.

Highlights

• Grave finds from a Celtic-Roman cemetery with over 2,500 burials
• Permanent exhibition "Life on a Long-Distance Road" in the middle of the ancient roadside village
• Circular trail about 1 km long with information boards, reconstructed burial mounds and a well
• Replica of a Roman pump in a cistern
• Playground with Roman games directly in front of the museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Leben an einer Fernstraße – Original finds from the settlement and cemetery show the everyday life, work, beliefs and burials of the people in Celtic and Roman times; also insights into archaeological methods such as aerial photo analysis.
• Archäologischer Park (Außengelände) – Freely accessible circular trail with information boards on the settlement, temple precinct, military camp and cemetery, with reconstructed burial mounds and a rebuilt well.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Gemeinde Morbach (Kulturzentrum Archäologiepark Belginum)

Admission & discounts

Admission covers the museum including the special exhibition; the outdoor grounds are free. Discount on presentation of a ticket from a partner museum.

Accessibility

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

Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All; partly accessible for people with walking difficulties). Step-free side entrance for wheelchair users – please ring the bell at the gray signal column to the left of the main entrance. A platform lift overcomes the steps between the special and permanent exhibitions; the education room has two steps. Three accessible parking spaces, seating in the exhibitions. The paths directly at the museum are passable, the unpaved path to the cemetery (approx. 800 m) only with an off-road wheelchair. Tours for people with walking or visual impairments and cognitive disabilities on request. Dogs are not allowed in the building (assistance dogs excepted), on a leash in the outdoor grounds.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free rallies for the permanent exhibition, special exhibition and outdoor grounds with a small reward. Drawers at the display cases may be opened. Playground with Roman games in front of the entrance (game pieces, marbles and wooden dice can be borrowed at the ticket desk). Children's birthday parties, holiday program and workshops for children. Fold-down baby changing table in the accessible restroom.

Getting there & parking

Directly on the B327 (Hunsrückhöhenstraße): at the roundabout take the first exit toward Wederath. Signposted hiking trails lead from Bernkastel-Kues and Traben-Trarbach via Kautenbach to the Archäologiepark.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

No food service; food you bring can be eaten in the outdoor grounds at the playground. Museum shop with publications, specialist literature, children's books and replicas.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit