Haltern am See, 2000 years ago: on the banks of the river Lippe one of the most important military complexes of the Romans can be found. It is the control centre of Roman power in Germania right of the river Rhine. From here, the conquest of the entire area is planned and operated.
Here one of the famous legions of historiography is stationed: the 19th Legion, which perished in the Varus Battle in 9 AD. The main camp alone was home to about 5,000 Roman soldiers - in the middle of Germania. The name of the camp: Aliso.
Today at exactly this spot one finds the LWL-Römermuseum. Over 12,000 original artefacts witness the highly developed culture and technique of the Romans: the enormous ability to construct and the logistics, their artisanship and Roman everyday life far from home. The archaeological finds from the whole region make the time of Christ - the climax of Roman power in Germania – an experience.
A historic venue, an ultramodern museum, attractive events and an extensive museum educational offer await you.
Caution construction work! With the construction of the LWL-Römermuseum the idea of a Roman construction site was born. Now it is becoming reality directly behind the museum. The Romans construction takes place in two phases. Covering an area of 4.8 hectares, initially the west gate was erected exactly back where archaeologists have detected traces of the former post in the ground. Also parts of the adjoining wood and earth wall with its upstream shaped ditches were reconstructed where the Roman soldiers put them in the times of Emperor Augustus.
175 cubic meters of wood, 30 cubic meters of boards and planks, 2,000 wooden nails, 14,000 forged nails: What 5,000 Roman soldiers built up in an instant 2,000 years ago, contemporary craftspeople did with cranes and engine power. The replica of the wood and earth wall and the west gate is 96 meters long. Recently a 60-meter ramp has been added that allow people with handicap access. A particular highlight are the binoculars on the west gate. On the enclosure large and small visitors can see what the Roman soldiers 2,000 years ago had in mind when they were on the lookout.
Virtual reconstructions augment the built architecture and fill them with life. Another time replaces the present day at this original location, surrounded by parts of the reconstructed Roman fortification. This makes it possible to recreate the historical, no longer visible environment of reconstructed in parts Roman fortifications and so overcome the anachronism of "Roman" and modern buildings side by side. Who looks through these virtual reconstructions will guaranteed see the Roman replicas through different eyes!
In the second construction phase, internal buildings will be added. As this is an archaeological building site these are built with historic craft techniques and the materials and tools used in the Roman period.
Image: Römer on Tour. LWL-Archäologie für Westfalen/S. Brentführer
