Römer und Bajuwaren Museum Burg Kipfenberg

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1999 by the association of friends and supporters and was run by it on a volunteer basis for a long time. Since April 2018, the market town of Kipfenberg has operated the museum on its own. It is housed in a building of the outer bailey of Burg Kipfenberg, high above the Altmühl Valley and directly on the course of the Limes, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. All finds on display and archaeological monuments explained come from the immediate area, so the sites can be explored on foot after visiting the museum.

The most important exhibit is the grave of the so-called Warrior of Kemathen, discovered in 1990 in Kemathen, a district of Kipfenberg. The man lived in the first half of the 5th century and probably served as a Germanic mercenary in the Roman army; in popular lore he is considered the "first true Bavarian." The grave goods and a faithful replica of the grave are on display.

A second focus is the Roman province of Raetia: with many hands-on stations, the exhibition explains the structure of the empire, the daily life of the border soldiers on the Limes, and the collapse of Roman rule up to the Migration Period. Since July 2006, the building has also housed the Infopoint Limes of the Altmühltal Nature Park, with a reconstructed guardroom of a Limes tower, films, and signposts to the Roman sites in the region. Special exhibitions are shown on the upper floor, and a folklore archive is located under the roof.

Highlights

• Grave of the "Warrior of Kemathen" from the 5th century with a reconstruction of the grave
• Infopoint Limes with a reconstructed guardroom of a Limes tower
• Roman daily life in the province of Raetia with hands-on stations
• Located directly on the UNESCO World Heritage Limes and the Limeswanderweg (Limes hiking trail)
• Escape room in the guardroom and the program "Römer auf Zeit" (Romans for a While)

Permanent exhibitions

• Der Krieger von Kemathen – Grave goods and a replica of the grave of a Germanic warrior from the 5th century, who became known as the "first true Bavarian."
• Die Römer in der Provinz Raetien – Hands-on stations on the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and on the daily life of soldiers on the Limes.
• Infopoint Limes – Staged guardroom of a Limes tower, films on the World Heritage Site and the work of archaeologists, and signposts to the Roman sites in the Altmühltal Nature Park.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Markt Kipfenberg

Director

Claudia Stougard

Admission & discounts

Admission covers the entire building (permanent exhibition, Infopoint Limes, special exhibition, folklore archive). Members of the friends' association have free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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 is largely accessible, with an elevator and a wheelchair-accessible restroom. You can drive right up to the entrance door; please call ahead or use the doorbell at the parking lot. The guided Limes hike is not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Many hands-on stations. Escape room in the guardroom (30–60 minutes) for families with children aged about 10 and up, bookable on site depending on availability. Children's birthday parties with a themed tour, birthday table in the guardroom, and a play and craft segment (2 hours, up to 12 children aged 6 and up, €75 plus €6 per child). For families and groups there is also the camp weekend "Römer auf Zeit" with an overnight stay in a Roman tent.

Getting there & parking

GPS address: Burgstraße 29, 85095 Denkendorf-Gelbelsee (from Kipfenberg, choose the option "via Gelbelsee"). By car from the Denkendorf motorway exit via Gelbelsee, or from the Kinding exit via Kipfenberg and Burgstraße (cars only). On foot from the market square, past the Protestant church along a forest path; the museum is on the Limeswanderweg, the Mühlenwanderweg, and the Kressensteig.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café in the foyer with cake and drinks made from regional and organic products, in summer with a garden terrace, beer garden, and farm-made ice cream; museum shop with items including Roman spiced wines.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil wedding ceremonies in the large hall (room for 80 guests in addition to the couple and witnesses); historic half-timbered hall with equipment for conferences, seminars, and private celebrations. Accompanying programs such as guided tours, a Roman feast, or a sacrificial ceremony available on request.

Plan your visit