Roman Sites, Towns & Museums in Bavaria

Artefacts and architectural features from the city’s Roman period were discovered during  the digging of foundations for a residential complex between 1990 and 1995. As the preservation was good, the city developed this archaeological garden, in which evidence of the 1st century AD castellum and 2nd century AD bathhouse has been preserved. As you enter the garden you walk over the flagstones of a road. The outline of the buildings unearthed are set out in brick. Illustrated information panels in German and English outline the significance of the discoveries.

On the edge of the Königsbrunn cemetery visitors can see the reconstructed floorplan of a Roman public bathhouse. Other finds in the immediate area suggest that the bathhouse was part of a country estate. It is thought that the settlement was the last road station before Augsburg (to the north), labelled as ‘ad novas’ on the Tabula Peutingeriana. A series of illustrated information panels explain the archaeology of the site through the artefacts recovered from the excavations here, which took place in between 1975 and 1977. Also in the cemetery are the remains of a mithraeum.

At the Cambodunum Archaeological Park in Kempten, visitors can explore the Roman town of Cambodunum, the administrative centre of the Rhaetia province during the 1st century AD. Many features of the town are visible in the park. The foundations of the forum and basilica are set out in the grass. A small thermal bath has been excavated and enclosed in a protective building. A number of features have also been reconstructed, including an impressive Gallo Roman temple. Parts of the site are freely accessible.

The cathedral square has been extensively excavated and researched by archaeologists. Part of the excavations have been stabilised and left open for visitors to see. With the remains of different buildings constructed during the Roman period and the Middle Ages clearly visible, it is easy to see the changes that have taken place. The buildings include a Roman stone building and a 10th century church. Very detailed maps on information panels provide extensive information on the different building phases.

Sections of the legionary camp wall at what is now the old town of Regensburg are well preserved in three locations. These are the southeast corner at Ernst-Reuter-Platz, the northeast corner at Hunnenplatz, and a large section of the east side in the parking garage beneath Dachauplatz. It is also in he garage that the information centre for the ‘document Legionslagermauer’ is located. During the night the garage is closed, thus restricting access, otherwise the three sections are freely accessible throughout the day.

The remains of the mithraeum were discovered, along with the remains of many other Roman era buildings during the building of the Könnigsbrunn cemetery in 1976/7.  During excavations 98 coins were found in the structure. Visits are possible during March to October on the 4th Sunday of the month between 14h00 and 16h00. Otherwise, the building that was erected over the mithraeum has windows through which you can get a good view of the archaeology.

Thought to be Castra Vetoniana, from the Tabula Peutingeriana, the fort lies at the junction of two important roads between Weißenburg and Kösing with a connection to Böhming. The earlier earth and timber fort was built under Hadrian, while the more recent stone fort was constructed under Antonius Pius. Parts of the original stone wall are still visible, while the north wall with its gateway has been reconstructed on the remains of the original wall. Excavations revealed traces of a violent destruction in the mid 3rd century AD.

Casta Regina was the Roman name for a 2nd century AD military fort on the Danube River, a city we know today as Regensburg. Very little of this fort has survived. One feature being a gate from the northern walls of the fort; one of the few surviving Roman gates north of the Alps. The stone from much of the Roman fort, like elsewhere, was used in the construction of later buildings. The reason the north gate survived is because it was partly integrated into the Bishop’s court in the mid 17th century. The distinctive Roman masonry can still be seen from the street.

On the edge of the cathedral square is a small shelter with a number of architectural elements from various Roman buildings around the city. From fragments of architrave to columns, decorative altars and grave stones, panels with low relief carvings and inscribed stones. Perhaps the most spectacular piece is the pillar grave stone of the legal scholar, Aurelius Carus. Many of these are replicas, the originals being on display in the museum. Information panels give extensive explanations in German.

On the edge of an agricultural field are the remains of a 2nd century AD Roman country estate. The site was excavated in 2002, after which part of the floor plan has been stabilised and exposed for visitors. Those rooms with hypocaust underfloor heating are protected by a glass structure. Analysis of the wood that lined the villa’s well suggests it was built in 133 AD, and only occupied for a period of about 50 years before being abandoned. Numerous interesting artefacts were found in the well, including house keys, a writing tablet and a Terra Sigillata bowl from southern Gaul.

Dating to the 2nd century AD, this is one of the largest surviving country estates in the province of Raetia. The site was first excavated in the 1950s, but recent excavations between 2002 and 2004 revealed the bathhouse. These remains are covered by a safe structure with glass walls, allowing visitors to see the hypocaust flooring and other features. Guided tours are offered between May and October on Saturday afternoons. There is extensive information onsite in different languages.