Römisch-Germanisches Museum, Cologne

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COLONIA CLAUDIA ARA AGRIPPINENSIUM (the Roman name of Cologne).
I really wanted to see this exhibition but the museum is closed on Mondays.
The Römisch-Germanisches Museum in Cologne emerged from the Roman and Germanic department of the Wallraf-Richartz Museum in 1946. The present building was opened in 1974 and is situated in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral. It was built on the walls of a Roman villa which was discovered in 1941 and which contained the world-famous Dionysos mosaic. The mediaeval Kaiserpfalz (imperial palace) also stood on this site. The museum houses the department of archaeological excavations and monuments of Cologne city council and fulfils three different functions as a centre of research, the archaeological archives of the City of Cologne and the public collection.
The presentation concept of the permanent exhibition has aroused international interest and has made the Römisch-Germanisches Museum one of the most popular museums in Germany.
Fragments of Roman architecture, inscriptions, portraits of, amongst others, Emperor Augustus and his wife Livia, ceramics and a great deal more provide visitors with an insight into the urban development of Roman Cologne from a major settlement of the Germanic tribe of the Ubii to a city under Roman legislation and capital of the Imperial province of Lower Germania. Mosaics and mural painting are evidence of the rich decoration of the houses. The various religious cults which are of Italic, Oriental and local origin come alive in the depiction of deities in stone, bronze and clay. Prehistoric finds from Cologne, the Rhineland and selected European sites dating from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages are also exhibited.
The Roman mosaic with scenes from the world of Dionysos (around 220/230 A.D.) and the reconstructed tomb of the legionary Poblicius (around 40 A.D.) are probably the best known exhibits of the Römisch-Germanisches Museum in Cologne. The museum's collection has profited from the archaeological legacy of Cologne and the surrounding region which spans a period from prehistoric times to the early Middle Ages. The worldwide largest collection of Roman glass vessels and a unique collection of Roman and early mediaeval jewellery are the highlights of this museum.
There are some interestin displayed out side of the museum too, fragments of Roman buildings etc are on show in glass cases along the pavement.

The Römisch-Germanisches Museum is near the Cathedral. Inside, the Roman mosaic with scenes from the world of Dionysos (around 220/230 A.D.) and the reconstructed tomb of the legionary Poblicius (around 40 A.D.) are probably the best known exhibits. There are also many other interesting artefacts and presentations.

With the Köln WelcomeCard, you receive a 20% discount off of the admission price.

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It's your basic artifact museum with relics of the many ancient eras - particularly the Roman - of the Cologne area, beautifully displayed. The collection of glass artifacts are especially well preserved too and well lit. And the museum has lots of windows which allow the natural light to stream in for many a good photo op!

Cologne gets its name from the Romans who called it Colonia (these days epithomised in a classic carneval song) and as one of Germany's oldest cities they founded it. Therefore, it is no more than right that this is where a Roman museum should be housed which includes Roman finds from all over this part of Germany. Apart from its permanent collection, there are also exhibitions on various Roman things. During our visit it was about the importance of Colosseum. If you are in a hurry to the train but still want to see something, you can just look down the huge glass window in the cathedral square and you will see the nice mosaic floor that is one of the museum's great showpieces.

The Romano-Germanic Museum is really worthwhile to visit. It has a big collection of mosaic floors, statues etc. All of this is found in the region of Cologne. It has a unique collection of Roman and early mediaeval jewellery.

Another feature of the Roman-Germanic Museum you can see without actually entering is the Dionysos Mosaic floor - a delightful pagan Roman tribute to Bacchannlain pleasure. VViewable from a glass window near the fron tentrance. Roman glass vessels and a unique collection of Roman and early mediaeval jewellery are other highlights of this museum.

Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission
EUR 4,30 / reduced EUR 2,70

Dedicated to Koln's Roman past, this museum boasts artifacts like Roman jewelery, mosaics and other crafts.
It was closed when I visited, but looking through the glass window on the front, I took in the fine mosaic floor that this museum is famous for.

The mosaic floor was once part of a rich merchant's house (dining room) and was later used as the grounds for building the Roman-German Museum.

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Like London, Koln shows its Roman roots to the present day and still retains part of its Roman designation as a 'Colonia.'

This museum showcases the city's Roman foundations, quite literally, built as it is around an enormous mosaic left where it was found in the 1940s.

The array of statues, monuments, glassware and jewellery is astounding. Better yet, photography is allowed so get snapping! Allow about an hour and a half.

Admission is discounted with the tourist card to 2.70 euros, otherwise it was 4.30 euros as of April 2004. Open Tues-Sun 10-5, closed Mon.