LVR-Archäologischer Park Xanten

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The park lies on the site of the Roman Colonia Ulpia Traiana, which arose around 100 AD next to an older settlement and, with about 73 hectares and roughly 10,000 inhabitants, was among the most important cities of the province of Germania Inferior. Since the area was hardly built over after antiquity, it was largely preserved as an archaeological monument. In 1973 the Landschaftsverband Rheinland decided to set up an archaeological park, which opened on June 8, 1977 with a first section of about six hectares.

Since then the park has grown to about 60 hectares. On the original foundations, parts of the city wall, the harbor temple, the amphitheater, an inn with a bathhouse, and residential and craftsmen's houses were rebuilt at full size; other buildings are only indicated by their ground plan or as models. Excavations continue to this day, and since 1989 an international archaeological summer academy has taken place.

In August 2008 the LVR-RömerMuseum opened above the remains of the entrance hall of the Great Baths; a protective structure of steel and glass next to it traces the outlines of the bathhouse. The exhibition tells about 400 years of Roman history on the Lower Rhine, from the legionary camps Vetera I and II through the heyday of the Colonia to its destruction at the end of the 3rd century. Since 2021 the park has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lower Germanic Limes.

Highlights

• Reconstructed amphitheater, city wall and harbor temple on original foundations
• LVR-RömerMuseum above the entrance hall of the Great Baths
• Protective structure over the excavated Great Baths
• Roman inn with bathhouse and craftsmen's houses
• Original find of a Roman ferry and figure of a Batavian horseman
• Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lower Germanic Limes

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung im LVR-RömerMuseum – Tour through about 400 years of Roman history on the Lower Rhine – from the Germanic longhouse through the Vetera legionary camps to the end of the Colonia Ulpia Traiana.
• Archäologischer Park mit Rekonstruktionen – Rebuilt buildings of the Roman city at full size, including the amphitheater, city wall, harbor temple, inn and craftsmen's houses.

Founded

1977

Operated by

Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission to the park and museum every 1st Monday of the month.

One ticket is valid for the park and the LVR-RömerMuseum. Refugees (with proof of arrival or residence permit) free. Tickets at all ticket desks without reservation or in the online shop.

Accessibility

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

Large parts of the park and the RömerMuseum are accessible; the paths are made of gravel and sand and are hard to navigate in continuous rain, some reconstructions have steps (mobile ramps), and the upper floors of the craftsmen's houses are not accessible. Wheelchairs and rollators free of charge at the ticket desk. At least 18 accessible parking spaces at the three entrances, several accessible restrooms, some with adult changing facilities. Tactile signs with Braille, tactile guidance lines, touchable objects; sign language and oral interpreters can be booked, MultimediaGuide in German Sign Language and Easy Language free of charge.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Large adventure playground, water playground and bouncy castle; in the games house, Roman board and throwing games to try out. In the RömerMuseum about 30 hands-on stations. Children's birthday party with tunic and tour (2.5 hours, up to 15 children). Hand carts can be borrowed at the city center entrance. Children and young people under 18 have free admission.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 57, exit Sonsbeck, and the B 57. Harbor temple entrance closed from December to February. Electric park tram "APXpress" with seven stops in the park (March to October daily 10:00–17:00, day ticket €2, children €1; strollers cannot be taken along).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Café "KaffeeMühle" in a historic windmill (March–October 10:00–18:00, November–February 11:00–16:00); restaurant in the Roman inn (May–September Sat, Sun, public holidays, reservation required) and Taberna (April–September Sat, Sun, public holidays). Two museum shops accessible without admission. Picnics allowed on the meadows, barbecue hut can be booked; hand cart rental. Dogs on a leash in the park, not in the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The café KaffeeMühle can be booked for celebrations; the barbecue hut in the park (approx. 40 people) can be rented after registration.

Plan your visit