Villa urbana – Römermuseum Heitersheim

About the museum

Where the Heitersheim Roman Park is today, a landowner's stately country estate, a so-called villa urbana, stood in Roman times. The Roman museum was built on the exact site of the main Roman house. The light, modern building still shows many traces of the former residence and preserves the central parts of the structure, including the large walk-in cellar and the ornamental water basin in the former inner courtyard, which measures about 18 by 4 meters.

The museum also displays parts of a mosaic floor, colored window glass and everyday objects. Text panels, finds and a model of the entire complex explain the appearance and history of the villa, and a computer simulation lets visitors walk virtually through the reconstructed main house. This gives an impression of rural life among the Roman upper class on the Upper Rhine.

The villa also included farm buildings. Near the former granary stands the Villa artis, with a café that is not part of the museum. The town of Heitersheim runs the museum and offers museum education programs for groups and school classes. The Roman Park also has a puzzle game ("Römergeheimnis") and a playground.

Highlights

• 18-meter Roman ornamental water basin with a fountain figure
• Parts of a mosaic floor and Roman window glass
• Model and computer simulation of the entire villa
• Museum education programs and the puzzle game "Römergeheimnis"
• Free admission (donations requested)

Permanent exhibition

• Villa urbana – Römermuseum – Exhibition in the main house of the Roman country estate, with the ornamental water basin, mosaic, window glass, everyday finds, a model and a virtual tour.

Operated by

Stadt Heitersheim

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; visitors are asked to make a donation toward the museum's work.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

Wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The Roman Park has a Roman-themed playground and the indoor and outdoor puzzle game "Römergeheimnis" (for ages 14 and up; children up to 13 may play for free).

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café artis in the neighboring Villa artis (not connected to the museum, separate opening hours, operated by Caritas).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit