Römerkastell Saalburg

About the museum

The Saalburg lies on the Taunus ridge above Bad Homburg and in the 2nd century was a cohort fort on the Upper German-Raetian Limes. After the Romans withdrew, the site fell into ruin. Excavations began in the 19th century, and a dedicated commission later looked after the remaining walls. Louis Jacobi researched the fort and led the museum.

After the foundation stone was laid on October 11, 1900, reconstruction began under Emperor Wilhelm II and lasted until about 1907. The result is the most completely rebuilt fort along the entire Limes, supplemented by a museum for the finds. Heinrich Jacobi, son of Louis Jacobi, directed the house from 1912 to 1936; after World War II, under Hans Schönberger, it developed into a research center of supra-regional importance.

Today, the Saalburg is part of the Archäologisches Landesmuseum Hessen (Hessian State Archaeological Museum) as an archaeological park with a museum and research center. It is the central point of contact for Roman archaeology in Hesse and, as the Limes Information Center, informs visitors about the border system that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. On display are finds from the fort and its surroundings, reconstructed barracks rooms, an officers' dining room and a tavern modeled on Pompeian examples.

Highlights

• The most completely reconstructed Roman fort on the Limes
• Museum rooms with finds from the fort, the camp village and the Taunus
• Reconstructed barracks rooms and officers' dining room
• Museum restaurant Taberna in Pompeian style
• Bronze tactile model of the fort in front of the main gate

Permanent exhibitions

• Römerkastell und Museumsräume – In the reconstructed fort, the headquarters building, granary, workshop and troop barracks show finds and the daily life of Roman soldiers, plus a staged Roman banquet.
• Vor- und Frühgeschichte im Taunus – Since 2016, new rooms have presented finds from prehistory to the early Middle Ages from the region around the Saalburg.

Operated by

Archäologisches Landesmuseum Hessen (hessenARCHÄOLOGIE, Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Hessen)

Director

Dr. Carsten Amrhein

Admission & discounts

Card payment (EC/credit card) is possible. Members of the friends' associations of the Saalburg and the Keltenwelt am Glauberg have free admission. Dogs on a leash cost €1. Only one reduction can be granted at a time.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

As a listed building, the Saalburg is not fully barrier-free, and not all rooms can be reached by wheelchair. Bookable are a guided tour for wheelchair users (about 60 minutes, €40 per group plus reduced admission, registered companions free of charge) and a guided program for blind and visually impaired visitors (1.5 to 2 hours). Since February 2024, a bronze tactile model of the fort with a base that wheelchairs can roll under has stood in front of the main gate. An overview plan of barriers is available as a PDF on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Children's tour with a choice of focus (about 45 minutes, up to 30 children, €50 plus admission) and a tour with the doll Claudius for preschool children aged 5 to 7 (about 1 hour, up to 15 children). Two rally sheets for different age groups cost €1 on site or can be downloaded for free.

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Am Römerkastell 1, 61350 Bad Homburg.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Museum restaurant Taberna in the fort (only with an admission ticket): March to October, Tuesday–Sunday 11:00–18:00; November, December and February, Wednesday–Sunday 11:00–16:00; closed in January. Museum shop: March to October, weekdays 11:00–18:00, Saturday, Sunday and Hessian school holidays 10:00–18:00; November to February, Tuesday–Thursday as well as Saturday and Sunday 11:00–16:00.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 50 guests.

Evening celebrations outside opening hours, with a guided tour or activity program; the Taberna offers space for groups of 20 to 50 people.

Plan your visit