Römermuseum Weißenburg

About the museum

Weißenburg's archaeological collection dates back to the late 19th century and was displayed in a local history museum from 1926. The impetus for a dedicated Roman museum was a chance find: in October 1979, a hobby gardener digging an asparagus bed near the Roman baths came across metal parts. A hoard of 114 objects came to light – bronze statuettes of gods, votive plaques, vessels, tools, military items, and scrap metal. The composition suggests the hiding place of a looter who probably buried the treasure during the Alamannic invasions in the mid-3rd century.

The Free State of Bavaria acquired the find in 1980 and had it restored. In 1983, the RömerMuseum opened on Martin-Luther-Platz as a branch museum of the Archäologische Staatssammlung München, with the treasure at its center. After the Upper German-Raetian Limes was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2005, the Bavarian Limes Information Center was added on the ground floor in 2006.

After two and a half years of closure for renovation and redesign, the building reopened in 2017. The accessible exhibition "Das Leben am Limes" (Life on the Limes) shows the military and daily life in the Biriciana fort and the military village, as well as the exchange between Romans and Germanic peoples. Media stations, hands-on replicas, and figures of a legionnaire and a cavalry soldier bring the border region to life. The museum is part of the Museen Weißenburg, which also include the Roman Baths and the fort grounds.

Highlights

• Weißenburg Roman Treasure with bronze figures of gods
• Permanent exhibition "Das Leben am Limes"
• Bavarian Limes Information Center on the UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Helmet replicas to try on
• Multimedia guide with maps and images

Permanent exhibitions

• Das Leben am Limes – Military and daily life in the Biriciana fort and the military village, exchange between Romans and Germanic peoples, and, as the highlight, the Weißenburg treasure find.
• Bayerisches Limes-Informationszentrum – Information on the UNESCO World Heritage Limes with film and audio stations, soldier figures, and hands-on replicas.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Stadt Weißenburg i. Bay. (Zweigmuseum der Archäologischen Staatssammlung München)

Director

Simon Sulk

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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 permanent exhibition and the Limes Information Center are accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

In the Limes Information Center, replicas of Roman everyday objects may be touched and helmet replicas put on; younger guests get to know World Heritage sites there in a playful way. Explorer booklet "Unterwegs in Biriciana" (€2, from about age 8) for the baths, fort, and RömerMuseum. Craft workshops on the Roman era for children (depending on topic ages 4 to 10), also bookable as a children's birthday party; Roman garments and equipment can be rented for a fee.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A6 or A9 and the B2 or B13 (exits Weißenburg-Nord or -Süd).

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