Römisch-Germanisches Museum
Roncalliplatz 4
50667 Köln
T +49 221 221 24438
F +49 221 221 24590
roemisch-germanisches-museum@stadt-koeln.de
Direktor: Dr. Marcus Trier
Time tunnel. 2000 years of Cologne history
9 November to 7 July 2013
The archaeological excavations associated with the construction of the north-south metro line in Cologne between 2004 and 2011 were the biggest engineering operation in the history of the city. Thanks to the largely sub-surface construction methods used in the excavation of the tunnel, earth-moving operations were restricted to the sites of the stations and supply and access shafts for the four kilometers of track. Between the future stations the original sediment was moved a long way beneath the levels affected by human occupation. The volume of earth examined amounts to 150,000 cubic meters. The archaeological investigations represent a unique cross-section through the more than two-thousand-year history of Cologne. Roughly two and a half million finds from all the periods of the city’s history were recovered – early Roman military objects at Breslauerplatz, Roman harbour artifacts in the Old Town, huge temple foundations near St Maria im Kapitol, settlement and grave finds in the southern Roman suburb, early medieval craftsman and merchant quarters in the Old Town, impressive fortifications from the Middle Ages and Prussian earthworks in the New Town. The exhibition throws new light on many facets of the history of the city of Cologne. A book with c. 260 pages and 180 coloured illustrations will be published to accompany the exhibition – a book on the history of Cologne.
Guided Tours (german language)
Dienstag, 28. Mai , 15:30 Uhr
Dienstag, 4. Juni , 15:30 Uhr
Dienstag, 11. Juni , 15:30 Uhr
Dienstag, 18. Juni , 15:30 Uhr
Dienstag, 25. Juni , 15:30 Uhr
Dienstag, 2. Juli , 15:30 Uhr
Participation in public guided tours is generally free of charge.
Music in Roman Cologne
18 July to 3 November 2013
Music is ephemeral and the music people listened to in Roman times has long ceased to be heard. What remains are instruments made from clay and metal, reports of pipers and images of mythical musicians. A major city such as Roman Cologne – historians estimate that the city was home to 25,000 people – must have had a rich musical scene. In the theatres, small orchestras accompanied tragedies and comedies – the latter being the more popular genre. Tuba players cheered the gladiators in the arenas and cornus players gave signals to the guards of the proconsul. Flute players drowned out distracting noises during sacrificial rituals, women playing the lyre accompanied singers at private celebrations, children whistled popular tunes and wet nurses sang lullabies to babies. The objects dating from that period that have survived are part of the collection of the Römisch-Germanisches Museum in Cologne. Original finds, memorials depicting musicians from Cologne and the entire Roman Empire as well as numerous written sources give an idea – albeit a fragmentary one – of the musical life in Roman Cologne.
Locations
Opening times
Tue to Sun 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Every 1st Thu of the month: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
closed on Mondays
public transport
Public transport
rail service, local trains (S-Bahn): "Hauptbahnhof" (5 min walk)
bus, tram, underground: “Dom/Hauptbahnhof”; (5 min walk)
Car parks
Am Dom / Philharmonie / Groß St. Martin
Admission
Permanent collection including special exhibitions:
Adults € 8 Concessions € 4
Free admission to the permanent collection for Cologne residents aged 0-18; students (incl. 2 teachers per group); holders of the KölnPass; Cologne residents on their birthday
1st Thu of each month (except public holidays): free admission for Cologne residents to the permanent collection
Information for visitors with impaired mobility
The main entrance area is suitable for wheelchair users. Toilets for disabled persons. Small lift. The exhibition area is only partly suitable for wheelchair users. Tactile exhibition for blind visitors or those with severely impaired vision.
Museum shop
Köselsche Buchhandlung im Römisch-Germanischen Museum
Literature on classical antiquity, replicas of museum exhibits and Roman glass, museum publications
Tel: +49 (0) 221 92 55 309
Fax: +49 (0) 221 25 41 97
Email: Museumsshop.koesel@t-online.de
www.koesel-koeln.de
