Information board at the site of the Roman camp in Neuss-Gnadental.

The Roman legionary fortress at Novaesium received international attention when it was extensively excavated by Konstantin Coenen in the late19th century. Coenen’s floor plan still serves as the blueprint for the layout of a typical Roman fort. The fortress occupied the site from 43 AD until around 100 AD. Later an auxiliary camp, which also housed a cavalry unit, was built on the site of the original camp. The camp existed until around 300 AD. The street plan and settlement patterns of the present-day city still retain traces of the camp layout. Roughly 80% of the ancient structures have survived buried underground.

Access: public and private

Note:
The archaeological remains that make up the Lower Germanic Limes (NGL) UNESCO World Heritage Site are all very well preserved. Most of these structures are buried underground and well protected. Some are visible above ground. So far, there is very little on-site information explaining the history and significance of these finds. We are currently working on a comprehensive package of information and presentation resources to promote public understanding of these sites.

Traces of an ancient fort can still be seen at Bürgel Manor House.

The present-day floor plan of Bürgel Manor House is largely based on the layout of the original Roman camp. Remains of the ancient walls are visible in the brick walls of the manor house, in several places up to a height of 4m. Roman remains have also survived underground, including a bath complex. Two exhibition areas and an educational garden invite you to explore the history of this unique site.

Access: public and other

Note:
The archaeological remains that make up the Lower Germanic Limes (NGL) UNESCO World Heritage Site are all very well preserved. Most of these structures are buried underground and well protected. Some are visible above ground. So far, there is very little on-site information explaining the history and significance of these finds. We are currently working on a comprehensive package of information and presentation resources to promote public understanding of these sites.

The reconstruction of the fortification’s east gate shows just how massive these structures were.

The military fortification at Divitia was established by Roman Emperor Constantine I in around 310 AD to protect the area around a bridge over the Rhine. It was built on the right bank of the Rhine across from Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, the Roman city of Cologne. Camp and city were linked via a stone bridge with timber pilings. About half of the fort’s exterior stone wall survives buried underground, although several sections are visible. The reconstruction of the fortification’s east gate shows just how massive these structures were.

Access: public, private and other

Note:
The archaeological remains that make up the Lower Germanic Limes (NGL) UNESCO World Heritage Site are all very well preserved. Most of these structures are buried underground and well protected. Some are visible above ground. So far, there is very little on-site information explaining the history and significance of these finds. We are currently working on a comprehensive package of information and presentation resources to promote public understanding of these sites.

The street names “Römerkastell” and “Auf dem Römerberg” indicate that a Roman navy base was once positioned here.

From about 10 to 270/280 AD the only navy camp along the Lower German Limes occupied the area now known as Köln-Marienburg (formerly Alteburg). Excavations have uncovered various structures confirming the existence of exterior walls, initially of wood and later of stone, the camp’s main street, its army barracks and command headquarters. The camp’s location has meant that the great majority of these finds have survived in remarkably good condition. You can still imagine why the Romans chose to establish their naval base on this raised terrace well above the floodplains.

Access: public and private

Note:
The archaeological remains that make up the Lower Germanic Limes (NGL) UNESCO World Heritage Site are all very well preserved. Most of these structures are buried underground and well protected. Some are visible above ground. So far, there is very little on-site information explaining the history and significance of these finds. We are currently working on a comprehensive package of information and presentation resources to promote public understanding of these sites.

Car park and signpost “Am Weißen Stein" near the “Römerhof” golf course

The northern part of the Kottenforst forest periodically served as a training area for the Roman army. We now know that there were 11 training camps in the area between 1 and 2 AD. A number of earthworks can still be seen. Several hiking trails between Ramelshoven and the "Weißen Stein" car park wend their way through these ancient training grounds.

Access: partially public

Note:
The archaeological remains that make up the Lower Germanic Limes (NGL) UNESCO World Heritage Site are all very well preserved. Most of these structures are buried underground and well protected. Some are visible above ground. So far, there is very little on-site information explaining the history and significance of these finds. We are currently working on a comprehensive package of information and presentation resources to promote public understanding of these sites.

Model of the Roman fort at the original site

The Roman fort in Bonna was one of the largest military camps in the Roman Empire. It was located in what is now known as the Bonn-Castell district. The fort was in continuous use as a military base from 35 - 430 AD, predominantly by the much revered Legio I Minervia. Traces of the fort’s layout are still visible in the street plan of the present-day city. The centre of the camp occupied the area where Römerstraße and Nordstraße/Badener Straße now meet. These would have been known as Via Principalis and Via Praetoria during the Roman period. Around 83% of the structures are still buried underground. Copies of stones inscribed in Roman letters, a reconstruction of a Roman treadwheel crane, a recreated barracks building and a replica of an early Christian church can now be found on the fort’s original site.

Access: public and private

Note:
The archaeological remains that make up the Lower Germanic Limes (NGL) UNESCO World Heritage Site are all very well preserved. Most of these structures are buried underground and well protected. Some are visible above ground. So far, there is very little on-site information explaining the history and significance of these finds. We are currently working on a comprehensive package of information and presentation resources to promote public understanding of these sites.

In the early 1st century AD the headquarters of the Lower Germanic Roman army occupied the area around what is now Cologne’s city hall. Towards the end of the century, this was the location of the praetorium, the residence of Lower Germany’s governor. It is the largest and best researched Roman structure along the Rhine. We now know that it was constructed in four phases. Its stone remains are in remarkably good condition. Having been located in what was effectively an underground museum, these ancient ruins are now the centrepiece of the new MiQua. LVR Jewish Museum in the Archaeological Quarter of Cologne.

Access: public

Note:  The archaeological remains that make up the Lower Germanic Limes (NGL) UNESCO World Heritage Site are all very well preserved. Most of these structures are buried underground and well protected. Some are visible above ground. So far, there is very little on-site information explaining the history and significance of these finds. We are currently working on a comprehensive package of information and presentation resources to promote public understanding of these sites.