Experience Roman heritage: guided tour of architecture in Xanten on Sunday!

Experience Roman heritage: guided tour of architecture in Xanten on Sunday!

Cologne and the surrounding area have a very special relationship with antiquity, which is particularly reflected in the LVR Archaeological Park in Xanten. On July 6, 2025, visitors can look forward to a Sunday tour that will focus on the city's impressive Roman architecture Colonia Ulpia Traiana busy. The experienced archaeologist Karl Krentz will give the participants exciting insights into the engineering and construction of the ancient metropolis. The tour starts at 11 a.m. and entry only costs the regular ticket price.

What exactly is the topic of this tour? Participants can look forward to a tour that includes the city's mighty walls and temples as well as the luxurious bathing facilities and monumental forum. Not only is the splendor of Roman architecture appreciated, but the quality of the execution is also critically examined. As you can see, botched construction was not a modern phenomenon - even back then there were unexpected weaknesses and failed construction projects.

Roman military history and the Vetera camp

An aspect that is in the history of Colonia Ulpia Traiana Also important is the military presence of Roman troops who were stationed in the nearby Vetera camp. This camp, which was massively expanded under Emperor Nero, is considered one of the largest military camps in the Roman Empire. The legionnaires lived here, while the city itself had a primarily civilian character.

The exhibition in the Xanten Archaeological Park contributes to the education about the Roman military: It shows an interesting reconstruction of the camp and explains the history of the Roman army. Visitors can look forward to an interactive experience where they can meet the marching column of the early imperial period and admire faithful replicas of weapons and armor. The Batavi tribe, known for their role as mounted scouts, is also discussed.

Insights into everyday life of the Romans

In addition to the impressive buildings and military history, the exhibition also shows what everyday life was like for people during this time. There are numerous interactive elements to be found in the park. These include replicas of Roman carriages and wagons that were important for travelers throughout the great Roman Empire. Visitors can also marvel at some of the tools and everyday objects that come from camp life. These enrich the picture of Roman life and show how diverse and multifaceted Roman culture was.

Another highlight is the reconstruction of a river boat, which, like the barge from 100 AD, impressively illustrates how the Romans transported their goods. Even though road conditions were often poor, travelers managed to move across the sprawling empire. The basis for these reconstructions is provided by the extensive archaeological material that can be found in the region.

The tour on July 6th offers not only an exciting look at the impressive architecture of the Romans, but also their way of life, which remains a fascinating source of interest for historians and history enthusiasts to this day. If you want to learn more about Roman architecture and its secrets, you shouldn't miss this event!