Römische Kalkbrennerei Iversheim

About the museum

During work on a water pipeline in 1966, the remains of a Roman lime factory were discovered on the slope of the Erft Valley near Iversheim. The Rheinisches Amt für Bodendenkmalpflege (Rhenish Office for the Preservation of Archaeological Monuments) excavated the site until 1968; for the first time in Europe, a complete Roman industrial operation could thus be uncovered, studied in its function, and made accessible to the public.

In a workshop hall about 30 meters long and open at the front, six pear-shaped kilns stood side by side, divided into two work areas by a wall. Soldiers, mainly of the 30th Legion, quarried dolostone above the hall, burned it with wood at about 1,000 degrees into lump lime, and delivered it unslaked to construction sites in the province. Votive stones with inscriptions confirm the dating and the military work details. A special feature is the high-set firing opening, which has so far only been documented in Iversheim.

One of the kilns still contained its complete lime filling, which made it possible to reconstruct the entire work process. After the excavation, a firing experiment was carried out on a reconstructed kiln, which confirmed the technique. Today a building protects three of the original kilns; the reconstructed kiln stands freely accessible next to it. Dioramas and display cases with finds explain the work steps.

Since 2021, the lime kiln complex has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lower German Limes. It is looked after by the Dorfverschönerungsverein Iversheim (village beautification association) in cooperation with the town of Bad Münstereifel.

Highlights

• Three original Roman lime kilns in a protective building
• Outdoor kiln reconstructed for a firing experiment
• Dioramas and display cases with finds on Roman lime production
• Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lower German Limes

Permanent exhibitions

• Römische Kalkbrennerei – The protective building holds three original kilns along with the excavation findings; dioramas and finds explain how Roman legionaries burned lime here for buildings in the province.

Operated by

Dorfverschönerungsverein Iversheim e.V. mit der Stadt Bad Münstereifel

Admission & discounts

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