Romano-Germanic Museum – Cologne

The Romano-Germanic Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum) in Cologne, Germany, houses an extensive collection of ancient Roman finds from around Germany, particularly from the local area which was occupied by the Romans for a considerable time.

Romano-Germanic Museum – Cologne history

During the Roman era, Cologne was known as ‘Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium’ and was the capital of the Imperial province of Lower Germania. Having opened in 1974, from artwork and jewellery to glass, ceramics and pieces of Roman structures, the Romano-Germanic Museum exhibits a wide range of historic pieces dating back to this era and beyond into the Middle Ages.

Romano-Germanic Museum – Cologne today

One of the most famous exhibits at the Romano-Germanic Museum is the tomb of the Poblicius, a soldier who served in the fifth legion and whose large and elaborate tomb dates back to approximately 40 AD.

However, it is the Dionysus Mosaic which is the star attraction of the Romano-Germanic Museum. Thought to have been created in around 220 to 230 AD, this extremely well preserved mosaic floor measures approximately 750 square feet and is comprised of an incredibly intricate collection of over a million pieces of glass, stone and ceramics. In fact, the Romano-Germanic Museum was built around this floor, which was housed in a villa on the site.

Open for visitors between 10am and 5pm Tuesday to Sunday, public tours of the Romano-Germanic Museum take place on Sundays at 11:30am.

Getting to Romano-Germanic Museum – Cologne

Situated close to the Rhine River in central Cologne, the Romano-Germanic Museum is easily reached on foot or by public transport: trams 5, 16, 18 and E as well as buses 172 and 173 stop at Cathedral/Central Station, just minutes walk away.