The Romano-Germanic Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum) follows the timeline of Cologne into its deep past, when it was a Roman town named Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium. Explore a variety of exhibits with a focus on preserving Cologne’s Roman heritage and see the excavated Roman town villa that lies within the walls of this museum.
The museum was established in 1974 after the discovery of a magnificently preserved Dionysus mosaic in the city’s historic quarter in the 1940s during the construction of a bunker. Instead of removing the mosaic and its surrounding 3rd-century villa artifacts, an archaeology museum was built around the excavated site. Wander around the museum and its inner courtyards, which are based on the designs of the original villa. Enjoy views of the breathtaking mosaic.
Explore three floors of exhibition space dedicated to the Roman heritage of Rhineland. Peruse the museum’s highlights, which include the reconstructed sepulcher of the legionary Poblicius, who lived in the 1st century. You’ll see a precious collection of locally made Roman glassware, which archaeologists believe was used for funerals and burials. Check out the displays of Roman and medieval frescoes, sculptures, jewelry, tableware and furniture. Inspect the different artifacts that represent everyday life in the settlement of Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium. Examine busts of the Roman Emperor Augustus and his wife Livia Drusilla, as well as fragments of pottery and architecture, coins, toys and vessels made of ceramic and metal.
Purchase books on Roman and classical antiquity or pick up souvenir replicas of artifacts from the collection at the museum shop.
Admission to the museum’s permanent collection includes access to its temporary exhibitions. The museum is closed on Mondays. Enjoy extended opening hours on the first Thursdays of the month. The Romano-Germanic Museum is located in Cologne’s Altstadt (Old Town), directly opposite the stunning Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). You’ll also find the Museum Ludwig and Kolumba in the adjoining streets. Cologne’s main train station is a 5-minute walk away.
