In Blankenheim are remains of a Roman country estate, which is one of the largest of its kind in the Rhineland. Through modern architecture the pillared entrance hall, the Porticus, was reconstructed, with its present 60m it gives us a glimpse of the huge dimensions of the former villa.

The Blankenheim Roman villa was constructed at the end of 1st century AD. Archaeological uncovering of the former bathing areas and the utility rooms, traces of annexes and information points, are open to the public.

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Founded: 1st century AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Germany
Historical period: Germanic Tribes (Germany)

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3.9/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Petra Rex (31 days ago)
We stayed in this former Roman villa when the weather was bad. Nevertheless, I think that you need a lot of imagination to imagine what it used to look like here. Assuming knowledge, which I certainly have, it's not that spectacular. A former squire of a wealthy Roman whom he sought out to enjoy country life. Certainly around the 1st century according to Cristus a handsome property. There have been several excavations here, the last one taking place some time ago. Interesting, if the windows are not completely fogged up and the view is therefore poor, the very well recognizable and preserved hypocaust heating of the residential building. The further excavation finds covered with material(?) and with rusty chicen(??) boundaries give at least an impression of the layout and the dimensions of the facility. Completely next to it is this "corridor" made of metal. Maybe take a look at Xanten, there the whole thing is presented in a more interesting way, even for laypeople. Admission is free, you can park nearby. Guided tours are also offered, please inform yourself about this online beforehand. Everything is also good to do with children, maybe a little uninteresting for them. No problem with a wheelchair.
Hermann-Josef Holländer (2 years ago)
I'm not sure if rusty reconstructions do justice to the stone buildings from Roman times. The open-air museum itself is important.
TimeTravelRome (2 years ago)
The Roman Villa in Blankenheim was one of the largest of its kind in the Rhineland: its porticus was almost 60 meters long (its shape was is reconstructed using metallic bars). The villa was built at the end of the 1st century AD and was occupied until the middle of the 4th century. The complex included baths, stables, barns, coach houses and servants' quarters, grouped around a spacious farm yard. The first excavations took place in 1894, then in 1914 and again in 1931. It is believed that the apparent wealth of the villa owner was also based on income from secondary income, such as the operation of quarries and the mining of ore deposits in the vicinity. The Roman villa in Blankenheim is the only known example of the axial villa in the Rhineland. TIMETRAVELROME.
Marleen Vlaemynck (3 years ago)
We found it IMPRESSIVE! Little remains of the original villa. You can imagine how it must have been. The STEEL RECONSTRUCTION of the COLUMN GALLERY is huge! And that was only part of the villa…. There are GLASS PANELS over the excavations, giving you an idea of ​​what it was like. Next to the villa is also the platform of the former SANCTUARY. There are IMPOSANT TREES, including a FIFTING. There are still a few FOUNDATIONS of two STORAGE BARNS and of a SMALL HOUSE. The villa was located at the intersection of two IMPORTANT ROADS: the Agrippastrasse towards Cologne and the Via Belgica. You can walk quietly through the grounds, it is not crowded, you see someone here and there, but you can easily give each other space.
Sabine Lippert (4 years ago)
Interesting presentation of a villa rustica! In Blankenheim the whole villa is underground. You can only see the original foundations in depth in two places through Plexiglas. A way to protect ancient structures by leaving them underground. The foundation walls are made of corten steel and stone slabs. So you can see exactly how big the villa was, the individual rooms are described with the help of boards and can be walked through (with imagination). The caretaker's house and the agricultural buildings are a bit separate from the residential wing. Slabs are set into the floor with Latin names and depictions of typical Roman agricultural implements. From the porticus you still have a wide view over the country. A very modern and informative way to create an open-air museum! Parking spaces are available. child friendly Open throughout the year.
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