Sumelocenna-Museum

About the museum

When a parking garage was to be built in the center of Rottenburg in 1986, construction workers came upon Roman walls. Over the following five years, archaeologists uncovered a section of the ancient town of Sumelocenna covering about 1,000 square meters, including residential houses with parts of underfloor heating, a storage cellar and a street intersection. The remains were not removed but integrated into a museum building beside the parking garage. The Römisches Stadtmuseum (Roman Town Museum) opened in November 1992 with the support of the State of Baden-Württemberg, the Sülchgauer Altertumsverein (Sülchgau antiquities association) and various sponsors.

The highlight of the tour is a 32-meter-long Roman communal latrine from the 2nd to 3rd century, which is considered the largest of its kind north of the Alps and whose luxurious fittings are still recognizable. Reconstructions, models, graphics and many original finds depict everyday life in Roman Rottenburg. A diorama with around 650 tin figures tells stories from the town, and a film in German, English and French introduces the Roman period in southwestern Germany.

The offer also includes access to the preserved Roman bath beneath the Eugen-Bolz-Gymnasium on Mechthildstraße; the key is issued at the museum cash desk.

Highlights

• Original excavations of a district of the Roman town of Sumelocenna
• 32-meter Roman latrine, the largest north of the Alps
• Diorama with around 650 tin figures
• Film on the Roman period in German, English and French
• Key to the nearby Roman bath, available at the cash desk

Permanent exhibition

• Alltagsleben in Sumelocenna – dem römischen Rottenburg – Original excavations of part of the ancient town, reconstructions, models and finds on everyday life in Roman times, plus a tin-figure diorama and an introductory film.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Stadt Rottenburg am Neckar

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the AlbCard.

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

According to the city, the Roman Town Museum is barrier-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Regular public children's tours where original Roman objects may be touched, as well as practical courses (laying mosaics, digging for pottery shards) and rallies. For families with children aged 9 and up, the digital city rally "Ein Tag in Sumelocenna" (A Day in Sumelocenna) is available via the Actionbound app. Dates by advance registration.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located on the Stadtgraben, in the museum built into the parking garage. Navigation address: Sprollstraße 2 (Eugen-Bolz-Platz). The Roman bath at Mechthildstraße 26 is only a few steps away.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit