Limesturm Hillscheid

About the museum

The Limes tower near Hillscheid has stood since 1994 along the course of the Upper German-Raetian Limes, which stretched more than 550 kilometers from the Rhine to the Danube. Along this border of the Roman Empire, roughly 100 forts and some 900 watchtowers once lined up. The replica follows the current state of research and shows what such a post looked like: a tower about twelve meters high on a square ground plan of roughly five meters per side, adjoined by a section of palisade rampart.

The interior serves as a small museum. On three levels, information boards explain the Limes system, the history of the Roman Empire and everyday life behind the frontier; in addition there are replicas of Roman pottery and some original finds. On the first floor, supplies were once stored; above it lay the living quarters, and at the very top the watch room with a surrounding walkway, from which the view opens over the Westerwald, the Neuwied Basin and the Eifel.

Next to the tower there is an information pavilion and a Roman garden with a bread oven. The tower lies on the Limesweg near Höhr-Grenzhausen, a circular hiking trail with station boards that leads to a reconstructed small fort.

Highlights

• Reconstructed Roman watchtower (about 12 m high) from 1994
• Small Limes museum over three levels, with original finds and replicas
• Walkway with long views over the Westerwald, Neuwied Basin and Eifel
• Adjoining palisade rampart and Roman garden with bread oven
• Starting point for the Limesweg to the small fort

Permanent exhibition

• Limes-Museum im Wachturm – Boards, original finds and pottery replicas on the Limes, the Roman Empire and everyday life behind the frontier, spread over three levels of the tower.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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 tower is not accessible; the walkway can only be reached by stairs and ladders.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Vallendar train station is about 7.6 km away. The tower is located directly on the Limesweg near Höhr-Grenzhausen (circular hiking trail).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit