Schwarzenacker Roman Museum

The Schwarzenacker Roman Museum in Homburg is an open-air archaeological museum in Saarland where you walk through the excavated remains of a Gallo-Roman village. Reconstructed houses, columns and a Baroque garden bring the everyday life of craftsmen and traders to life. If you are exploring Roman Germany beyond the big cities, or looking for a family-friendly day trip near the border with Rhineland-Palatinate, this is an easy and rewarding stop.

The story of the site

Archaeologist Alfons Kolling began building the museum in 1966 and led the digs. A foundation involving the city of Homburg, the Saarpfalz district and the Karlsberg brewery runs it today. The settlement (a Roman vicus) was founded under Emperor Augustus and destroyed around the year 275 by the Alemanni. More than 2,000 people lived on roughly 25 to 30 hectares, yet only about one hectare has been excavated so far.

What to see

• Reconstructed Roman buildings: These include the house of the eye doctor, with wall paintings and underfloor heating, a tavern and a bakery.
• Edelhaus: A building from the early 18th century that displays Roman finds and about 30 paintings on loan from Munich.
• Baroque garden: It links the Edelhaus with the dig site and features a seven-meter replica of a Jupiter giant column and a copy of a Gallo-Roman temple.
• Equestrian statues: Replicas of the Breitfurt riders stand in front of the Edelhaus; the originals are in Speyer.
• Special exhibition: In 2026 the show VENI VIDI PLAYMOBIL runs until October 31.

Planning your visit

Allow one to two and a half hours. Much of the site is outdoors, so dry weather helps. The museum offers guided tours, workshops and Roman festival days; guided group tours cost 40 euros plus admission.

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

From April to October the museum is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on weekends and public holidays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In March it opens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is closed from November through February, so the winter break begins at the end of this month.

Adults pay 7 euros, students and trainees 5 euros, and a family ticket costs 17 euros. Children up to 6 enter free, and the Saarland Card gives free admission. A combination ticket with the Schlossberg Caves in Homburg costs 10 euros per adult. Special events have their own prices.

Getting there

The museum is at Homburger Straße 38, 66424 Homburg, in the Schwarzenacker district. Homburg lies in eastern Saarland and can be reached by regional train from Saarbrücken or by car; check connections with the regional transit authority, saarVV. The museum's price page does not mention parking, so call +49 6848 730777 if you need details. Prices are in euros (EUR).

Nearby

The Schlossberg Caves in Homburg make a good second stop, and the combination ticket saves money. The old town of Homburg is also worth a short walk.