Limeskastell Pohl

About the museum

Near Pohl in the Rhein-Lahn district, the Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes makes a distinct bend. At this spot, around AD 100, stood a small timber-and-earth fort measuring about 43 by 34 meters, manned by a detached troop unit. The original survives only underground and is partly built over; it was investigated during excavations between 1897 and 1903. The village name derives from the "Pfahl" (stake), as the frontier wall was popularly called.

On the initiative of the local municipality and the friends' association founded in 2007, a reconstruction based on current research was built from September 2009 just a few meters from the historic site: a rampart with a wall walk and gate, a barrack block, and a wooden watchtower, connected by a modern bridge. The fort opened on October 1, 2011. It is run largely by volunteers and, according to its own figures, welcomes around 12,000 visitors a year.

In addition to the open-air ensemble with its furnished soldiers' room, the basilica has displayed 17 Roman stone monuments from the Mainz Landesmuseum since 2015. An exhibition room revamped in 2019 presents finds from forts in the surrounding area, such as Marienfels and Holzhausen. Roman gatherings, concerts, lectures, and workshops bring the fort to life; since 2021, a digital visitor guide on your own smartphone has complemented the in-person guided tours.

Highlights

• Walk-in reconstruction of a Roman timber-and-earth fort with watchtower
• Walk along the wall walk with distant views as far as the Westerwald and Hunsrück
• Furnished soldiers' room (contubernium)
• 17 Roman stone monuments from Mainz in the basilica
• Taberna serving dishes based on Roman recipes
• Roman gatherings and the "Kultur im Kastell" event series

Permanent exhibitions

• Kastell und Wachturm (Freilichtmuseum) – The reconstructed fortification with gate, rampart, wall walk, and watchtower, as well as a fully furnished soldiers' room, conveys the everyday life of Roman soldiers on the frontier.
• Monumenta Lapidea Narrant – Mainzer Römersteine in Pohl – The basilica houses 17 original Roman stone monuments from the Landesmuseum Mainz, whose inscriptions and reliefs establish links between the provincial capital Mogontiacum and the frontier fort.
• Fragmente des Lebens an der Grenze – Revamped in 2019, the exhibition shows finds from the Limes forts of Marienfels, Hunzel, Holzhausen, and Pohl – including date amphorae, coins, and a large model of the Marienfels bathhouse.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Ortsgemeinde Pohl, unterstützt vom Förderkreis Limeskastell Pohl e. V.

Admission & discounts

Members of the friends' association (fee €15 per year) get free admission. An accompanying booklet on the inscriptions of the Roman stones is available at the ticket desk for €1.

Accessibility

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

According to the website, a comfortable ramp leads up to the wall walk, and a modern bridge provides step-free access from the wall walk to the watchtower. No further accessibility information (e.g., on restrooms) is available. Dogs are allowed on a leash.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's birthday parties with individual catering by arrangement; kids can move the fort gate themselves. The "Kultur im Kastell" program also includes theater for children. Family ticket and annual family pass.

Getting there & parking

GPS address: Kirchstraße, 56357 Pohl.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Taberna with small dishes based on Roman recipes (including Lucanian sausage and moretum), mulsum, homemade cake, and regional drinks; catering for groups, children's birthday parties, and celebrations.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The fort and the basilica can be used for celebrations, seminars, and conferences; individual catering by the taberna. Inquiries via the officium.

Plan your visit