Weißenburg

The Biriciana military camp was built around 90 AD on a high terrace of the Swabian Rezat. The 500 soldier strong cavalry unit ala I Hispanorum auriana is considered to be the regular occupation. In the middle of the 2nd century AD, the wood-soil fort was rebuilt in stone. The foundation walls of this phase are now marked in a modern way on the undeveloped fort site and convey the dimensions of the former fort.
The almost square camp occupies an area of 3.1 ha. The camp wall with many towers and four gates was lined with an inner earth wall and three outer defensive ditches. The two-story north gate was rebuilt in 1990 according to the scientific standards of the time. The stone buildings inside the fort correspond to the typical structure of Roman military camps. In the center was the staff building, the principia, with the camp sanctuary, the large basilica and administrative rooms. To the east, a storage building and the camp commandant's residence have been identified.
The function of other stone buildings to the west of the principia is still being discussed in archaeological research. The soldiers' wooden shelters were proven geophysically, but are not visible above ground.
Biriciana was probably destroyed during the great Germanic invasion of AD 253/254. Horizons of destruction speak for the subsequent abandonment of the camp and the associated vicus. The famous "Weissenburg treasure trove" also probably stems from the unrest of that time.

Address:
Am Römerlager, 91781 Weißenburg i. Bay
Opening times: accessible all year round
Entrance fees: free
Contact: +49 (0) 91 41/907-186, www.museen-weissenburg.de 

Traces of the vicus, the settlement belonging to the fort, are still preserved in Weißenburg to the southwest of the military camp. Three wells, the basement of a stone building and the floor plan of a typical strip house have been integrated into the modern development in situ. Many finds from the vicus area are exhibited in the Roman Museum and give an impression of civilian life in the military environment of the fort. Veterans, innkeepers, merchants, craftsmen and unofficial wives and families of the soldiers settled here and supplied the military camp with everyday and luxury items.

Address:
near the Roman thermal baths, 91781 Weißenburg i. Bay
Opening times: accessible all year round
Entrance fees: free
Contact: +49 (0) 91 41/907-186, www.museen-weissenburg.de

The RömerMuseum combines finds from the fort, the thermal baths and the region. The branch museum of the Munich State Archaeological Collection was redesigned and reopened in 2017. The tour takes you step by step through ancient life on the Limes. As a military site, Biriciana was strongly influenced by the presence of Roman soldiers. At the same time, a large number of finds document the flourishing civil life in the camp village and the surrounding area. Material evidence of the cultural exchange between Romans and Germans north of the imperial border is just as exciting as the everyday and luxury items made by craftsmen, women and children in the vicinity of the fort.

The highlight of the exhibition is the outstanding "Weissenburg treasure trove", which was probably deposited in the middle of the 3rd century AD near the Roman thermal baths in the course of the destructive Germanic invasions. The ensemble of 114 finds is one of the largest of its kind in southern Germany. The 15 bronze statuettes of gods and the eleven silver votive plates are particularly impressive due to their outstanding quality. There are also metal utensils such as pots, tools and an iron folding chair.

Address: Martin-Luther-Platz 3-5, 91781 Weißenburg i. Bay
Entrance fees: regular €6, reduced €4, family €12. Museum ticket: regular €10, reduced €6, family €19. Season ticket: regular €25, reduced €15.

Contact: +49 (0) 91 41/907-124, www.museen-weissenburg.de

The Bavarian Limes Information Center is the central contact point for questions about the UNESCO World Heritage Limes. Interactive stations, multimedia offers and information brochures invite you to explore the Upper German-Raetian Limes independently.

Address: Martin-Luther-Platz 3-5, 91781 Weißenburg i. Bay
Entrance fees: free.
Contact: 09141 907-124, www.museen-weissenburg.de

The RömerMuseum and the Bavarian Limes Information Center are barrier-free.