Römisch-Germanisches Altertumsmuseum Villa Sarabodis mit Erlöserkirche

About the museum

During the excavations for the Protestant Erlöserkirche in Gerolstein, the foundations of a Roman estate were discovered. According to the archaeological findings, the villa was built in the first decade after the birth of Christ; coin finds prove its use until the middle of the 4th century. A particularly well-preserved underfloor heating system (hypocaust) was partially reconstructed and roofed over. In the fire layer of the complex, which was destroyed during the Migration Period, the graves of 27 Frankish warriors were found.

The name Sarabodis appears in a deed of donation in 762. It is interpreted either as the property of a Frankish nobleman named Sarabod or – according to the archaeologist Peter Henrich – as a Latinized Celtic designation for an estate by flowing water.

Emperor Wilhelm II had the Erlöserkirche built as a Protestant church in the predominantly Catholic Eifel: the foundation stone was laid on May 25, 1911, and the emperor himself performed the consecration on October 15, 1913. The Neo-Romanesque central-plan building is lined inside with gold mosaics made of millions of tiny stones. The Altertumsmuseum (antiquities museum) was created at the same time in 1913, showing Celtic, Roman, and Frankish finds from the Kyll Valley; today it is opened by the Archäologischer Verein Duppach (Duppach Archaeological Association). The church, museum, and excavation can be visited together as part of guided tours by the Touristik GmbH Gerolsteiner Land.

Highlights

• Partially reconstructed Roman hypocaust
• Foundation walls of the villa rustica from the 1st century
• Celtic, Roman, and Frankish finds from the Kyll Valley
• Gold mosaics of the Erlöserkirche, consecrated by Wilhelm II in 1913

Permanent exhibitions

• Römisch-keltische Funde aus dem Kylltal – Small museum in the shadow of the Erlöserkirche with finds from the Celtic, Roman, and Frankish periods.
• Villa rustica Sarabodis – Conserved foundation walls of the Roman estate with partially reconstructed underfloor heating directly next to the church.

Founded

1913

Operated by

Archäologischer Verein Duppach e. V. (Museum); Führungen: Touristik GmbH Gerolsteiner Land

Admission & discounts

Participation in the public tour costs €5 per person. With the guest card GeroCard there is a 50% discount; guests of member businesses of the Tourismusverein Vulkaneifel take part free of charge with a special voucher.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome: not available
• Tactile models & exhibits: not available
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: not available
• Audio description: no information

Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All) (2026–2029). The church can be reached without steps via the side entrance, ramps have a slope of at most 6%; doors in the museum are at least 74 cm wide. The roughly 50 m path from the parking lot is partly uneven, and the public restroom can only be reached via stairs. No induction loop system, no information in Braille or Easy Language; assistance dogs are not allowed.

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

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