PARC ARCHÉOLOGIQUE LVR DE XANTEN

Established on the northern frontier of the Empire, the ancient Roman town of Xanten, known in antiquity as Colonia Ulpia Traiana, was a prosperous city of up to 10,000 souls at the height of its occupation. It was even considered one of the most important Roman cities in Germania, although its history is far less well documented than that of Cologne or Aachen.

History of Xanten

The creation of a Roman settlement on the site of present-day Xanten dates back to a few years BC, during Emperor Augustus' great offensive on the Germanic front. Sparsely populated at the time, this fertile area not far from the Rhine was quickly taken over by legionnaires, who settled there for good. By the ^1st century AD, the camp at Xanten was one of the Empire's most important defense points. To enable the 10,000 or so legionnaires to live there properly, roads were built. A port was created to the north of the camp to ensure supplies, and a good number of civilians also arrived to live here: merchants, workers, craftsmen... A number of retired legionnaires also chose to stay here for the long term, proving that life seemed to be good here.

The uprising of the neighboring Batavians in 69 AD brought the region to the brink of destruction. Xanten suffered considerable damage, and civilian installations near the port were destroyed. It was a year before new legions returned to restore peace. Some 30 years later, the Roman colony of Colonia Ulpia Traiana was founded. History will record that, alongside Cologne, Xanten was the only city in Lower Germania to enjoy the status of a Roman colony. The Latin name of the colony pays homage to the then emperor Trajan.

The town grew rapidly, quickly doubling its size and becoming a magnet for visitors to this part of the Empire, close to the Limes, the limit of the "civilized" world as conceived by the Romans. Thermal baths, temples, extensive walls and an amphitheatre were built. Religious buildings were dedicated to the worship of Roman deities, as well as local and ancestral ones.

The people of Xanten enjoyed the full rights and privileges of Roman citizenship. However, the town's population was very mixed, made up of Romans of course, but also Germans, Gauls and people from other parts of the Empire. Latin was therefore not the only language spoken here. A large part of Xanten's population made their living from crafts and manual trades. Excavations revealed the presence on the site of numerous professions such as bakers, butchers, blacksmiths, locksmiths and painters. Imagine a small town full of life and energy, where people passed through to do business.

The ^2nd century is considered the golden age of the Xanten colony. The Pax Romana was highly appreciated in the region, and the stationing of the ^30th Legion south of Xanten also ensured its security.

At the end of the ^3rd century, the Franks attacked Xanten and put an end to the city's economic development, although threats from both within and outside the Empire are thought to have undermined the colony's stability from the beginning of the ^3rd century. From then on, the city's surface area shrank, and it was protected by new walls flanked by some forty towers.

At the end of the Roman Empire, the Franks established themselves in the region, but did not occupy the old town of Xanten, which fell into disuse and was no longer inhabited.

Xanten archaeological park

Although many ancient buildings were dismantled for reuse, particularly in the Middle Ages, the abandonment of the town has given archaeologists a very realistic picture of what Xanten was like in Roman times.

From 1975 onwards, the archaeological park was developed, offering a fascinating insight into the region's past. Visitors flock to Xanten to discover impressive reconstructions of ancient monuments. It's not just the remains of an archaeological site that attract visitors. Among the most impressive reconstructions are the city walls and gates, the amphitheatre, the harbour temple, an inn and craftsmen's workshops. The sheer size of these buildings is a reminder of the city's importance 2,000 years ago. Along the way, you'll find pavilions in which models provide welcome explanations.

The archaeological park is a lively place, with numerous events ranging from concerts to historical re-enactments.

And don't worry, regular excavation campaigns take place, gradually revealing the secrets of Colonia Ulpia Traiana to visitors.

In 2008, a museum was added to the park, housed in a huge, bold modern building. Here, visitors can discover the remains of the Xanten thermal baths, as well as the rich permanent collections that take us back to local Roman life. The modern museography is a real success.