The old Roman colony has been reborn as an archaeological park, an open-air museum that features faithfully reconstructed buildings to help amateurs visualise what the Roman town looked like. The originals were torn down and used in building the medieval town. Kids will enjoy the two imaginative playgrounds: one a Roman fort, the other water-themed (bring a towel). The Archaeological Park adjoins the RömerMuseum.
The self-guided tour takes you past such sites as the Amphitheatre, which seats 12,000 people during Xanten’s summer music festival; the Spielehaus, where you can play early versions of backgammon and Nine Men’s Morris; a Roman hostel complete with hot baths and restaurant; and the majestic Hafentempel (harbour temple).
