Römermuseum Pachten
Archaeological museum in Dillingen-Pachten on the Roman vicus of Contiomagus; currently closed for renovation, Römerpark freely accessible.
About the museum
In Roman times, the Dillingen district of Pachten was the site of the vicus (settlement) of Contiomagus, whose name is documented on an inscribed stone. The settlement arose soon after the Roman conquest at a ford across the Saar, where the long-distance roads Metz–Mainz and Trier–Strasbourg crossed. Excavations have revealed houses, a craftsmen's quarter, a temple precinct, a cult theater, and one of the largest cremation cemeteries in southwestern Germany; in late antiquity, a fort was built.
The friends' association Förderverein Museum Pachten founded the museum in 1990 and set it up in a former farmhouse from the early 20th century. Alongside the Roman finds, it displayed objects from the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages; changing exhibitions were held in the former barn. Among the best-known pieces are the inscribed stone bearing the place name, inscribed seat stones from the cult theater, and the fragment of an Egyptian female figure.
The town of Dillingen has run the museum since March 2022. Since then, the building has been closed for renovation and a new concept: with EU funding, it is receiving, among other things, an elevator, a new staircase, an entrance to the future museum café, and an ArchäoLab for school classes. Until it reopens, the museum team offers tours, lectures, school programs, and the annual Roman and Celtic Festival in the neighboring Römerpark; excavations in the ancient temple precinct are also under way behind the museum.
Highlights
- Inscribed stone bearing the ancient place name Contiomagus
- Finds from one of the largest cremation cemeteries in southwestern Germany
- Fragment of an Egyptian female figure
- Römerpark with a replica fort tower (freely accessible)
- Pachten Roman and Celtic Festival in early September
- Founded
- 1990
- Operated by
- Stadt Dillingen/Saar
- Director
- Kirstin Jakob
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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
As part of the renovation, an elevator and a new staircase are being added so that the museum will be open to all visitor groups in the future.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Dillingen (Saar)
Dillingen (Saar) station, then approx. a 15–20-minute walk.
By car
Parking available · 10-min walk to the entrance
The museum is in a residential area with only a few parking spaces; the parking lot at the Lok-Schuppen is recommended, about a 10-minute walk from there to the Römerpark.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | School program "Auf Spurensuche durch das antike Contiomagus" (tracing ancient Contiomagus) for ages 6 to 16 (approx. 120 minutes, free), with registration through the museum management. Public tours of Roman Pachten according to the events calendar. |
