LWL-Römermuseum Haltern am See

Over het museum

Archaeologists have been digging in Haltern on the Lippe since 1899 and have identified at least seven Roman military installations there from around the time of Christ's birth, including a large main camp, marching and field camps, a fort on the Annaberg, and a fleet base on the riverbank. Haltern is considered a particularly well-researched Roman site; many experts regard the main camp as the Aliso mentioned in ancient sources, which withstood a Germanic siege after the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest (Varusschlacht). The method developed here of reading soil discolorations as traces of vanished timber buildings still shapes excavation techniques today.

As early as 1900, a local history society showed the finds in a provisional collection, and in 1907 a dedicated Römisch-Germanisches Museum opened. It was destroyed in an air raid in March 1945, and about a third of the finds were lost. In 1985 the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe decided to build a new museum, which opened on November 25, 1993. The building stands on the site of a Roman field camp; its pointed roofs recall legionaries' tents.

The permanent exhibition, covering about 800 square meters, shows more than 1,200 original finds from the Roman sites in Westphalia, complemented by models, films, and hands-on stations: visitors can carry marching gear or write on wax tablets with a stylus. Behind the museum, the Römerbaustelle Aliso (Roman construction site) has been taking shape since 2012, where a section of the timber-and-earth wall with pointed ditches and the west gate has been reconstructed at full scale (1:1) exactly on the historical site; in 2022 a guardhouse with an escape room was added.

Hoogtepunten

• More than 1,200 original finds on the life of Roman legionaries in Westphalia
• Reconstructed west gate with timber-and-earth wall at the Römerbaustelle Aliso
• Leather tent for a barracks group of legionaries
• Hands-on stations such as marching gear and wax tablets
• Roman escape room in the replica guardhouse
• Diorama with about 15,000 Playmobil legionaries

Vaste collectie

• Dauerausstellung: Römer in Westfalen – About 1,200 original finds, models, and hands-on stations on the daily life of legionaries in the Roman camps on the Lippe, from equipment and money to food and writing.
• Römerbaustelle Aliso – Section of the camp fortifications reconstructed at the original site, with west gate, timber-and-earth wall, pointed ditches, and guardhouse; open from about the end of March to the beginning of November.

Opgericht

1993

Beheerder

Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe

Directie

Josef Mühlenbrock

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Gratis toegang: Free admission in 2026: May 17 (International Museum Day), September 13 (Open Monument Day), and December 26, 27, 29, and 30.

Free admission with the LWL/LVR MuseumsCard and for members of the Förderverein (friends' association); free once with the RUHR.TOPCARD. Tickets on site or in advance in the online shop.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

Museum built to be accessible; the Römerbaustelle Aliso and even the reconstructed timber-and-earth wall are reachable by ramps. Accessible parking spaces in the museum parking lot. Free public guided tours with sign language interpretation twice a year; tactile tour "Römerzeit begreifbar" (Roman Times You Can Touch) for blind and visually impaired people. Museum app with audio guide, also in sign language; website in Easy Language and German Sign Language (DGS). Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All). Marked assistance dogs on a leash permitted.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Doe- en voelstations
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte
• Kinderfeestjes

According to the museum, especially exciting for children from about age 6. Usually on the third Sunday of the month, family Sunday with hands-on activities, tours, and museum cinema (children free, adults regular admission). Vacation programs, Roman rally, iPad tour, and children's birthday parties for ages 6 to 12 (2 hours, up to 12 children). Strollers are allowed in the exhibition; baby changing station in the accessible restroom.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

By car via the A43, exit Haltern, then about 1.5 km toward the town center. The museum is located on several cycling routes (including the Römer-Lippe-Route and the 100-Schlösser-Route).

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel
• Garderobe
• Kluisjes
• Wifi

The museum café is currently open only on family Sundays (run by volunteers); otherwise tables and chairs are available for a break, and picnicking is possible in the outdoor area. Museum shop. Large backpacks must be left in the coat check or in lockers. Charging stations for e-bike batteries (ask at the ticket desk). Wi-Fi for the museum's web app.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Bruiloften / trouwceremonies

Tot 50 personen.

Civil wedding ceremonies in the exhibition rooms with up to 50 guests, usually on Fridays at 17:00 and 18:00 by arrangement with the Haltern am See registry office; flat fee of €200 including guests' admission. Sparkling wine reception possible in the museum café.

Je bezoek plannen