Römisch-Germanisches Museum

About the museum

The Römisch-Germanisches Museum was created in 1946 when the city of Cologne merged the Roman-Germanic department of the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum with the Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte (Museum of Prehistory and Early History). The collection's roots go back to a municipal collection of antiquities from the early 19th century. To this day the museum is also responsible for archaeological heritage preservation within Cologne's city limits and therefore oversees numerous excavations, for example during construction of the north–south light rail line.

The museum got its own building in 1974, right next to the cathedral. The Brutalist concrete building designed by Heinz Röcke and Klaus Renner was deliberately built over the Dionysus Mosaic, the magnificent floor of a Roman townhouse from the early 3rd century, discovered in 1941 during construction of an air-raid bunker. Large glass fronts still allow a view from outside of the mosaic and the reconstructed tomb of the legionary veteran Poblicius.

The collection's focal points include Roman glass – among them the famous Cologne cage cup (Diatretglas) – jewelry, gravestones, inscriptions and wall paintings, as well as art from the Migration Period. Since November 2019 the main building on Roncalliplatz has been closed for a general renovation. A selection of around 1,000 objects has since been on view in the Belgisches Haus near Neumarkt. According to the city of Cologne's current plans, the renovation is due to be completed in the third quarter of 2030.

Highlights

• Dionysus Mosaic (around AD 220/230, on Roncalliplatz – not accessible during the renovation)
• Tomb of Poblicius (around AD 40, not accessible during the renovation)
• Cologne cage cup (Diatretglas, net glass) and other Roman glass
• Roman gold and gemstone jewelry
• Around 1,000 finds from more than 100,000 years of settlement history in the Rhineland in the interim exhibition

Permanent exhibitions

• Das Römisch-Germanische Museum im Belgischen Haus – Interim exhibition with around 1,000 finds from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, including Roman glass, gravestones and gold jewelry. It runs until the return to Roncalliplatz.

Founded

1946

Operated by

Stadt Köln

Director

Marcus Trier

Visitors per year

approx. 181,009

Admission & discounts

Free admission: KölnTag (Cologne Day): every first Thursday of the month (except on public holidays) free admission for all Cologne residents; also free for Cologne residents on their birthday and for KölnPass holders.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

According to the Museen Köln, the interim location Belgisches Haus is “partially wheelchair-accessible”; the Ubiermonument is also only partially wheelchair-accessible. No further accessibility details are given on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's workshops (e.g. masks, perfume, Roman games; mostly for ages 6 to 13), children's tours from age 8, family tour with Musculus the Roman mouse from age 5, holiday programs and children's birthday parties (via the Museumsdienst Köln, approx. 2.5 hours).

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with specialist literature, replicas of Roman glass, jewelry and souvenirs. Specialist library (approx. 30,000 items on the archaeology of the Rhineland), accessible by prior registration only.

Events & venue rental

As far as we know, the museum does not rent out spaces for external events.

The museum does not rent out any rooms.

Plan your visit