Welzheim Ostkastell - Baden-Württemberg
Kastell Pfünz - Bayern
Kastell Weißenburg - Bayern
The history of Remagen, a small town on the Romantic Rhine, dates back to Roman times. The fort RIGOMAGVS was an important base on the border of the Roman Empire. This border, the Lower Germanic Limes, has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Frontiers of the Roman Empire" since 2021. The Lower Germanic Limes stretched from the Vinxtbach Valley, about 10 kilometres south of Remagen, to Katwijk on the Dutch North Sea coast. Today, numerous remains of the Roman settlement are still visible in Remagen. The Roman Museum displays various finds from Remagen that give a picture of the military and civilian life of the Romans on the Rhine. Visitors can also see the remains of the Roman town wall or, as part of a guided tour, a very well preserved Roman heating system.
Also worthwhile is a visit to the other historical and cultural sights Remagen has to offer, such as the world-famous Remagen Bridge. This bridge over the Rhine, which was strategically important at the time, was captured by the Allies during the Second World War. Today you can visit the "Bridge of Remagen" peace museum in the former bridge towers.
Another landmark of Remagen is the pilgrimage church of Saint Apollinaris, situated high above the Rhine, an impressive example of 19th-century neo-Gothic architecture.
Remagen is also a popular destination and starting point for hikers and cyclists. The town lies on the RheinBurgenWeg, the first stage of which starts at the legendary Rolandsbogen. From here and from the Rhine Cycle Route, one of the most beautiful European long-distance cycle routes, it is worth making a detour to the Arp Museum Bahnhof Rolandseck, which captivates visitors with the extraordinary architecture of the new building by star architect Richard Meier.
The Rolandseck Wildlife Park or the Gemarkenhof ostrich farm, on the other hand, are popular excursion destinations for the whole family. A boat trip on the Rhine is also recommended to experience the town and its surroundings from a different perspective.
Remagen also regularly hosts events such as festivals, markets and concerts that enrich the cultural life of the town. A visit to Remagen is therefore not only worthwhile for those interested in history, but also for anyone who wants to experience culture, nature and a lively town on the Rhine. The large sun-drenched Rhine promenade with its many cafés, restaurants lets eventful days come to an enjoyable end.
© Text: Stadt Remagen
The most important military unit at the southern Upper Germanic Limes was a 500-man mounted unit. The so-called West Fort in the present-day town of Welzheim served as quarters for such a unit. In the East Fort, today the open-air museum "Archaeological Park East Fort", soldiers were stationed for guard duty at the Limes and as mounted scouts. Here you can see, among other things, the reconstructed western gate and a covered wooden well. In 1976, excavations unearthed the "shoe find", which has since become famous throughout the region. The 20-hectare camp village extended around the military camps, where outstanding pieces of bronze parade armour were discovered during excavations in 2011. In the Welzheim Museum you can see these and other important finds from the excavations and learn more about Roman life at the site 1800 years ago. North of the town is the open-air museum Kleinkastell Rötelsee and a replica of the Limes. In the forest 1.6 km south of the town you will reach the foundation walls of the Limes watchtower.
The Welzheim East Fort from the period 163/165 to 220/230 AD with its archaeological park offers a journey back in time to the Romans. Replicas and stone sculptures complement the information panels and make the fort an ideal place to learn about Roman history and everyday culture. Situated on the outskirts of Welzheim, the East Fort also offers space for recreation with the nearby meadows and forests as well as the possibility to visit the town centre. Welzheim's Roman circular route also starts from here.
A short 3 km walk through Welzheim's forts shows you the scale of the camps at that time and illustrates this with a wide variety of visualisations and information boards on the important visible and non-visible monuments. After a detour in the museum, you can enjoy ice cream and coffee in the town centre.
Limes as a passion - this is what the Welzheim Limes Cicerones convey. They are the guides to the relics of Roman rule. The Cicerones offer guided tours in the East Fort as night guards, night patrols and fort inspections for their guests. On Sundays and public holidays from May to October, the guides hold their fort watch and look forward to interested visitors.
© Stadt Welzheim
In 1995, the German Limes Road Association was founded with the aim of creating a tourist route for motorists along the Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes. Today, more than 25 years later, the association's members include more than 90 towns, markets and municipalities as well as numerous districts and tourist communities. The members are strung together like a string of pearls along the World Heritage Site Limes.
Along the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes (World Heritage since 2005), Lower Germanic Limes (World Heritage since 2021) and Danube Limes (World Heritage since 2021), the German Limes Road and the German Limes Cycle Path run across Germany from the Lower Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia through Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria to Passau on the Danube.
The association is managed by an eight-member board chaired by the Lord Mayor of the city of Aalen. In this interview, we introduce you to our board member, First Mayor Christian Wagner. He talks about the historical and cultural significance of the Limes, the deep roots of the Limes as a cultural heritage in the population and the close inter-communal cooperation in the association.
Click here for the entire Interview with Mayor Wagner.
This year's general assembly of the German Limes Road Association took place on 16th March 2023 in Straubing, the heart of Altbayern (Old Bavaria).
The year 2022 was very successful for the German Limes Road Association. Despite the adversities of our time, such as the Corona pandemic, inflation or the Ukraine war, the German Limes Road Association was able to increase its membership.
With Remagen, Alpen, Xanten and the district of Wesel, four new members could be won, which are located at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Lower Germanic Limes. This means that the association is now represented at all three sections of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Limes in Germany. The newly elected chairman of the association in 2022, Frederick Brütting, Lord Mayor of Aalen, was pleased to welcome the new members at the meeting and to introduce them to the members. The association hopes that more towns, municipalities and districts along the Lower Germanic Limes can be won over as new members.
The steps taken to continue the digititalisation of the Association's offerings were very well received by the members. An important element in this was the relaunch of the website www.limesstrasse.de, which is the central point of contact for tourist advice on the entire Limes. Among other things, the range of information on the Danube Limes and the Lower Germanic Limes was completed. The information on walking and cycling along the Limes has also been revised over the past twelve months and is now presented in an innovative way.
In the spirit of sustainability, attention was also paid to information and flyer material, so that new offers are not only offered in printed form, but can also be experienced as a digital version on the website. The entire range of information material, such as the map "UNESCO World Heritage Limes", can be ordered and downloaded free of charge at: https://www.limesstrasse.de/deutsche-limes-strasse/service/prospekte-und-infos.
The German Limes Road Association is optimistic about the future and looks forward to welcoming many guests to the Limes in 2023.
In 1995, the German Limes Road Association was founded with the aim of creating a tourist route for motorists along the Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes. Today, more than 25 years later, the association's members include more than 90 towns, markets and municipalities as well as numerous districts and tourist communities. The members are strung together like a string of pearls along the World Heritage Site Limes.
Along the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes (World Heritage since 2005), Lower Germanic Limes (World Heritage since 2021) and Danube Limes (World Heritage since 2021), the German Limes Road and the German Limes Cycle Path run across Germany from the Lower Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia through Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria to Passau on the Danube.
The association is managed by an eight-member board chaired by the Lord Mayor of the City of Aalen. In this interview, we introduce you to our board member, Mayor Uwe Bruchhäu-ser. He talks about the importance of transregional cooperation and the efforts to promote sustainable tourism at the unique UNESCO World Heritage Site Limes.
Click here for the entire interview with Mayor Bruchhäuser.
Travel along the German Limes Road for over 800 km through Germany and experience the Limes UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cycle along the Limes Cycle Path, where Roman attractions alternate with scenic highlights along the way.
Experience one of the largest cultural hiking trails in Europe - the Limes Trail along the UNESCO World Heritage Limes.
Here you can find our travel tips at the Limes.
Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site Limes. The Limes brings Roman history to life in the middle of Germany.
Your way to the member places of the German Limes Road Associaton
Find information on brochures, guided tours, press reports and much more.
Learn more about the German Limes Road Association, as well as the history of the Limes.