Keltensiedlung Altburg

About the museum

The Altburg lies on a spur of just over two hectares in a bend of the Hahnenbach near Bundenbach. The site was inhabited from the 3rd to the 1st century BC and belongs to the Celtic small fortresses that were distributed fairly regularly across the Hunsrück as small centers.

On the flat access side, the spur was sealed off by a strong wall of timber beams and dry-stone masonry, with a ditch in front. The collapsed rampart and the sunken ditch are still visible in the terrain. The fortification and the internal buildings were renewed at least three times, some after fires. The last building activity is dated to 78 BC.

Between 1971 and 1974 the hilltop fortress was excavated by the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier and later partially reconstructed, so that it can now be experienced as an open-air museum. The municipality of Bundenbach is responsible for the site; the Heimatverein Bundenbach looks after its preservation and organizes the Altburg-Festival with Celtic and Irish music. The settlement is also an important stop on the roughly 100-kilometer Sironaweg.

Highlights

• Partially reconstructed Celtic hilltop settlement
• Collapsed rampart and ditch of the fortification visible in the terrain
• Tour from the Herrenberg show mine
• Stop on the Sironaweg
• Altburg-Festival with Celtic and Irish music

Permanent exhibition

• Keltensiedlung Altburg – Partially reconstructed Celtic hilltop settlement with rampart remains and a ditch visible in the terrain, explored on a guided tour.

Operated by

Ortsgemeinde Bundenbach (betreut vom Heimatverein Bundenbach e.V.)

Admission & discounts

Tickets are sold only at the kiosk of the Herrenberg show mine.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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 path to the site leads over forest tracks with grass surfaces and is difficult for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Layenbrecher Weg 5, 55626 Bundenbach. The tour begins at the Herrenberg show mine; the settlement is about 400 m away. Coming from Kirn and Rhaunen, Bundenbach is signposted. Parking for cars and buses is available.

Amenities & dining

Kiosk with restaurant at the Herrenberg show mine (approx. 400 m away), where there is also fossil hunting and slate splitting.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit