(c) by Römermuseum Güglingen. All rights reserved.
Description [EN]
Trading and Marketplace Connecting the Upper Rhine to the Middle Neckar
The Vicus of Güglingen was the central trading and marketplace in the Zabergäu. The estimated population of this purely rural civilian settlement is between 800 to 1000 inhabitants. This significant sub-center existed from around 120 AD to the mid-3rd century.
The location served as an important reference point for the surrounding farms. It was conveniently situated on the Zabertal road, an essential trade corridor from the Upper Rhine area to the Middle Neckar region.
Extensive excavations began in 1999, covering approximately 4.5 hectares of the estimated 10-hectare settlement area. Consequently, Güglingen is among the largest continuously excavated areas of this settlement type.
The Permanent Exhibition at the Roman Museum
The Roman Museum in Güglingen houses around 2000 exhibits across three floors. With its numerous exhibition complexes, it sheds light on various aspects of Roman culture.
Numerous finds and findings came to light during the excavations in Roman Güglingen – both spectacular and unique, alongside more everyday items. The abundant finds illustrate nearly all life areas, from daily living and working to the world of gods: This is particularly well-represented - primarily through highly qualitative stone monuments, which among other things demonstrate the significant influence of originally Celtic deities in the settlement. Notable are the testimonies of the Mithras cult, which in Güglingen had two sanctuaries, containing a variety of cult artifacts.
The Zabergäu as a Roman archaeological landscape is also richly illustrated: it ranks among the most densely populated landscapes in Baden-Württemberg during Roman times and thus offers various highlights. These include, for example, the Caracalla inscription from Meimsheim, the sculpture find from Hausen an der Zaber, or the unusually richly equipped villa of Güglingen-Frauenzimmern with its water basin and unique Odyssey reliefs.
A Lively Past - A Museum Experience
Far from dusty, the presentation in the Güglingen Roman Museum is highly engaging: Extensively, walkable 1:1 reconstructions form the setting for the presentation of objects. Be it a Roman cellar, a mysterious Mithras sanctuary, or a terraced house that can be traversed from the bustling main street to the backyard - all make the visit an illustrative and close-up experience. Numerous sound installations transport the visitor into life 1800 years ago.
Additionally, a 3-D animation takes the viewer on a virtual flight over the Roman Zabertal, and several models enrich the permanent exhibition.
Much to Discover
Touching is expressly permitted: Every visitor can embark on their own individual discovery journey - fascinating and interesting things are hidden behind many flaps and drawers.
Various hands-on elements also invite the visitor to get involved: For instance, one can try a balance scale, attempt spinning with a hand spindle, or craft their own Roman deity.
Museum Shop and Cafeteria
The museum café provides an opportunity to round off the visit and can be rented for groups and events if interested. Tastings of local wines are also possible here.
The museum shop offers a selected range of items and publications related to the permanent exhibition or past special exhibitions. Most of the offerings are also available online.
The Archaeological Open-Air Site
The original site of Roman Güglingen is located south of the Zaber in the present-day industrial area "Ochsenwiesen/Steinäcker." Here, there is an Archaeological Open-Air Site that is a meaningful addition to the permanent exhibition in the Roman Museum.
Roman Güglingen is currently the only site in Baden-Württemberg with two excavated sanctuaries of the Mithras cult. Both can be seen in the open-air site - Mithraeum I is represented by the outline of its layout, and Mithraeum II is partially reconstructed to show the half-timbered construction of the building and offers the opportunity to try out the lying surfaces where the followers of the secret cult would sit during ceremonies. Both sanctuaries are connected by a "Seven Station Path," which gradually introduces visitors to the different initiation grades of the Mithras religion.
Two terraced house layouts and indicated network paths further clarify the settlement´s orientation in the landscape. On the site of one of the houses, a well was preserved and partially reconstructed - with a depth of over 8 meters, it remains one of the deepest in the settlement and continues to yield water to this day.
The site is accessible year-round and can be reached on foot from Emil-Weber-Straße.
Services
Families with children
Öffentliche Familienführung an jedem 3. Sonntag im Monat um 15 Uhr.Führungen und Workshops/museumspädagogische Aktionen buchbar nach Voranmeldung.
Adolescents, pupils
Führungen und Workshops/museumspädagogische Aktionen buchbar nach Voranmeldung.
Students
Führungen und Workshops/museumspädagogische Aktionen buchbar nach Voranmeldung.
Adult
Öffentliche Führung an jedem 1. Sonntag im Monat um 15 Uhr.Gruppenführungen buchbar nach Voranmeldung.
Seniors
Gruppenführungen buchbar nach Voranmeldung.
Disabled person
Gruppenführungen buchbar nach Voranmeldung.
Car parking
Zahlreiche Parkplätze im Umfeld des Museums vorhanden.
Bus parking
Bushalt zum Ein- und Aussteigen vor dem Museum im Bereich der Haltestellen "Neues Rathaus" und "Kirche" möglich. Busparkmöglichkeiten im "Stadtgraben".
Connection public transport
erreichbar mit dem Bus; Haltestellen "Neues Rathaus" und "Kirche"
wardrobe
ja (unbewacht)
Lockers
nein
Loan Rollers & Rollers
nein
Lendable baby carriages and baby carriers
nein
Baby changing facilities
ja
WiFi
nein
Audioguides
ja (dt./engl./franz.)
Publicly accessible library / archive / study rooms
nein
Cafe/Restaurant
Café mit einem Getränkeangebot vorhanden
Museumsshop
ja
Event room / lecture rooms (rentable)
ja (Veranstaltungssaal oder Caféteria)
Note regarding pets (if necessary, dog care on the spot)
Haustiere im Museum nicht erlaubt; Betreuung im Eingangsbereich möglich
Notes on using your smartphone or cameras
für private Zwecke sowie ohne Blitz und Stativ erlaubt
Guided tours and group offers
buchbar nach Absprache/Voranmeldung (mind. 1 Woche im Voraus)
First aid room
nein
Accessibility
Door width (in cm)
91
Guidance system for visually impaired people, Tactile / acoustic map
No
Entrance soil indicators
No
Marking of step edges
No
Access stairless
Yes
Access with ramp
No
Elevator with tactile font / announcement
No
Elevator door width (in cm)
90
Disabled toilet
Yes
Labeling in pictograms
No
Inscription in braille
No
Acoustically accessible exhibition objects
Yes
Tactile accessible exhibition objects
Yes
Print medium in braille inscription / large print
No
Tactile / audio tours
Yes
Guided tours in sign language
No
Tactile flooring system
No
Barrier-free Audioguides
Yes
Educational programs for visitors with learning difficulties
Yes