Römisches Museum Haus Bürgel

About the museum

Haus Bürgel lies in the Rhine floodplain of the Urdenbacher Kämpe between Düsseldorf and Monheim am Rhein. It is an architectural and archaeological monument with over 2,000 years of history. Roman soldiers were already settling here in the 1st century; in the 4th century a fort with thick walls and twelve towers was built on the Lower German Limes. Its ruins were followed by a Frankish complex and later a manor farm; in 1019 the place is first mentioned in a document as "Castrum in Burgela." From the 14th century onward the Rhine shifted its course, so Bürgel has since lain on the right bank of the river.

From 1698 to 1989 the manor farm belonged to the Counts of Nesselrode. In 1989 the Nordrhein-Westfalen-Stiftung (NRW Foundation) acquired it; after restoration and archaeological research, the Roman Museum opened in 2003, and further rooms were added in 2007. Today it is run by the non-profit Haus Bürgel Betriebs gGmbH, founded in 2019.

The exhibition in eight rooms in the manor house and at the southwest corner shows finds from the excavations of the 1990s: graves and grave goods, construction and defensive technology, military and coins, everyday life, Rhine navigation, and the working methods of archaeologists. It is complemented by the archaeological outer trail along the fort walls, a historic kitchen garden, a Roman bread oven, and the marked foundations of the Maternus Chapel in the inner courtyard.

Highlights

• Roman fort on the Lower German Limes with fort walls
• Eight exhibition rooms with excavation finds
• Archaeological outer trail with marked towers and fort bath
• Historic kitchen garden and Roman bread oven
• Location in the Rhine floodplain of the Urdenbacher Kämpe

Permanent exhibitions

• Römisches Museum – Dauerausstellung – Eight rooms in the manor house and at the southwest corner on Roman times, graves, construction technology, the military, everyday life, Rhine navigation and archaeology.
• Archäologischer Außenpfad und Nutzgarten – Walk along the fort walls past marked towers, the gate and the fort bath, plus a historic kitchen garden with vegetables and herbs from different eras.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Haus Bürgel Betriebs gGmbH

Admission & discounts

Free admission is also granted to members of the friends' association (Förderverein) of the NRW Foundation, holders of the DüsseldorfCard, and holders of the Ehrenamtskarte NRW (honorary volunteer card).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• 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

The route to the exhibition leads up an outdoor staircase with high steps, and the stairs in the manor house are very narrow; there is no barrier-free access. The archaeological outer trail can be reached without steps but consists of coarse natural stone paving.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

School and children's events begin with a child-friendly tour, on request in Roman tunics. Children and young people up to age 18 have free admission.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 59, exit 24 Langenfeld-Richrath, toward Baumberg on Berghausener Straße; at the second roundabout turn right onto Hauptstraße and follow the signs for "Haus Bürgel." The house lies on the Rhine cycle path and on the 13th stage of the neanderlandSTEIG hiking trail.

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