Ingelheimer Kaiserpfalz

About the museum

Around 800, Charlemagne had one of the largest and most splendid palaces of his empire built in Ingelheim. The complex was deliberately modeled on Roman palace architecture: the Aula regia, or throne hall, followed the example of the Basilica of Constantine in Trier, a semicircular building with the Heidesheimer Tor formed the ceremonial entrance, and an aqueduct about seven kilometers long supplied the palace with fresh water.

Under the Ottonian dynasty, Ingelheim reached its peak as the rulers' preferred residence at Easter; the empresses Theophanu and Adelheid at times governed from here. In the Salian period the palace lost importance, and the Hohenstaufen converted it into a fortified castle. In 1375 the area was pledged to the Electoral Palatinate, and the buildings were later absorbed into the houses of the Saalgebiet district.

Since 1993 the city of Ingelheim's Forschungsstelle Kaiserpfalz (palace research unit) has been systematically investigating the site. In 2001 the remains of the Aula regia became the first area opened for presentation, and in 2004 the visitor center and Museum bei der Kaiserpfalz opened. Today the outdoor monuments, the Saalkirche, the Heidesheimer Tor and the museum together form the Archäologische Zone Kaiserpfalz, connected by a historic circular trail.

Highlights

• Preserved remains of the Aula regia
• Heidesheimer Tor with themed exhibition house
• Gold coin bearing the portrait of Charlemagne
• Reconstruction model of the Aula regia in the museum
• Historic circular trail through the Saalgebiet district
• Kaiserpfalz app and multimedia eGuide

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung zur Kaiserpfalz – The museum's main hall displays a reconstruction model of the Aula regia and finds from excavations since 1993, from columns and capitals to painted wall plaster, complemented by prehistory, early history and the Roman period in Ingelheim.
• Außendenkmäler der Kaiserpfalz – Preserved wall remains of the Aula regia and the Heidesheimer Tor with its themed exhibition house let visitors experience the scale of the Carolingian palace on site.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Stadt Ingelheim am Rhein (Forschungsstelle Kaiserpfalz)

Director

Holger Grewe (Leiter der Forschungsstelle Kaiserpfalz)

Admission & discounts

Reduced rates are not specified on the website. The open-air grounds of the archaeological zone are freely accessible. The guided tours page lists included museum admission as €2, the museum page as €3.

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

The museum building is accessible; the presentation areas in the palace grounds are largely accessible. The “Kirche und Palast” tour is not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

In the museum, child-friendly information panels, interactive terminals, and digital reconstructions convey the history. The public tour "Church and Palace" is only for ages 12 and up.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A60, exit Ingelheim-Ost, then follow the brown "Kaiserpfalz" signs.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Cafeteria and museum shop in the visitor center.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit