Xanten: Roman History and the Lower Rhine

Xanten combines Roman history with a medieval town centre and a Lower Rhine floodplain landscape. If you’re looking for hotels in Xanten, you can tailor your stay to different interests: archaeological finds, local history, walks or activities on the water. The sights and attractions offer concrete ideas to help you plan.

Roman History and Archaeological Insights

The LVR-RömerMuseum uses archaeological finds to bring everyday life in the former Roman city to life. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Lower Germanic Limes is presented in the Limes Pavilion and the ship tent. This puts both life in the Roman city and the history of the Limes in the spotlight. In summer, you can watch the excavation team at work in the park as part of the Dig Live programme.

An APX workshop offers a hands-on introduction: participants can handle, examine and describe genuine Roman-era finds. Guided tours explore other sites and topics. They reveal archaeological remains beneath the Harbour Temple, explain gladiatorial combat in the amphitheatre or evoke the atmosphere of Roman bathing at the hostel baths. A tour of the artisans’ houses explores how the residents of Colonia Ulpia Traiana lived and worked. Tour dates and availability may change; check the current programme before your trip.

The buildings themselves also tell the story of the Roman city. After the Capitol, the Harbour Temple was the city’s second-largest temple. A gladiator exhibition is housed in the corridors of the amphitheatre; its presentation may change. The reconstructed hostel baths illustrate Roman bathing, with hypocausts, wall paintings and pools.

Medieval Town Centre and the Nibelung Sagas

Xanten has a medieval town centre featuring Xanten Cathedral. The Gothic St. Victor’s Cathedral is a five-aisled basilica associated with art and history. The SiegfriedMuseum explores the history of how the Nibelung sagas have been received over a period of 600 years. The cultural attractions thus range from archaeological traces of the Roman city to medieval architectural history and the enduring influence of a saga.

Floodplain Landscape and Nature at Bislicher Insel

Xanten lies amid the Lower Rhine’s diverse natural and floodplain landscapes, criss-crossed by interconnected cycling and walking routes. The AuenGeschichten exhibition at the NaturForum on Bislicher Insel offers a closer look at floodplain habitats and local wildlife. The nature reserve covers 1,200 hectares in an old bend of the Rhine and is home to beavers and wintering geese. The landscape offers a different focus from the museums and historic buildings: here, floodplains, wildlife and the natural environment take centre stage.

Spa Park and Activities on the Water

Xanten Spa Park was created from the city’s former ramparts. Its accessible design makes it easy to stroll around the city centre. The park’s graduation tower provides salt-rich air, while the Kneipp facility offers a refreshing water treatment. Its history and present-day design give the park a distinctive connection to the city’s past and to spending time outdoors.

There are also various ways to enjoy some active time. On the shore of the Xanten South Sea, a high ropes course has three climbing levels. The Xanten Leisure Centre offers waterskiing and wakeboarding on a cable tow. At the harbours of Xanten and Vynen, you can rent sailboats, electric boats and pedal boats. If you’re planning one of these activities for a specific day, check current operating hours and rental options in advance.

Discover more destinations: Schermbeck, Dinslaken, Wesel, Voerde, Neukirchen-Vluyn, Hamminkeln, Voshövel, Sonsbeck

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