Römerhaus Walheim

About the museum

During the expansion of the B 27 and the development of a new housing area, large-scale rescue excavations by the state monument preservation office took place in Walheim between 1980 and 1988. They uncovered a previously unknown second fort and the remains of more than 40 stone and wooden houses of the Roman civilian settlement. Walheim lay on the Neckar Limes and, unlike most places along this border line, had two forts from around 100 AD.

In 1986, archaeologists discovered an unusually large stone building measuring about 48 by 14 meters. It was built around 160 AD as the successor to a wooden building and probably belonged to a wealthy merchant, who had a sales room at the front facing the street and, behind it, living quarters with a kitchen, cellar, and underfloor heating. To preserve the well-preserved ruin, a friends' association was founded in 1988, and by 1989 a protective building made largely of wood was erected over the foundation walls.

The museum displays exclusively finds from Roman Walheim: architectural fragments, jewelry, dice, tableware, and images of gods, including an almost complete Jupiter Giant Column. Information panels explain trade, religion, and daily life in the province of Germania Superior until the end of the settlement in the 3rd century. The friends' association runs the building on a volunteer basis; it is a branch museum of the Archäologisches Landesmuseum Baden-Württemberg.

Highlights

• Walkable ruin of a Roman strip house of about 48 × 14 meters
• Very well-preserved Roman cellar and hypocaust heating
• Almost complete Jupiter Giant Column
• Votive stone of the goddess Maesama
• Outdoor area with a well

Permanent exhibitions

• Das römische Handelshaus – Tour through the ruins of a Roman merchant's house with cellar and heating, plus finds on daily life, gods, and the military in Roman Walheim.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Förderverein Römerhaus Walheim e.V. (Zweigmuseum des Archäologischen Landesmuseums Baden-Württemberg)

Admission & discounts

Special prices apply for events. Members of the friends' association have free admission.

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family tours where visitors try on Roman clothing and play Rundmühle (a Roman board game). At the end of the season, the friends' association holds a family day with play and puzzle stations for children aged 6 to 14 and a Roman diploma.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 81 (Mundelsheim exit) toward Besigheim and on the B 27 to Walheim; signposted in town. Located on the Neckartalradweg (Neckar Valley cycle path); boat dock on the Neckar about a 3-minute walk away.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Small museum shop.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit