Romano-Germanic Museum

The Romano-Germanic Museum in Cologne (Römisch-Germanisches Museum) tells the story of how a Roman colony on the Rhine became one of Germany's great cities, with a world-class collection of Roman glass, sculpture and everyday objects. Before you go, know this: the famous main building next to Cologne Cathedral is closed for a full renovation. Until it reopens, a compact selection of highlights is on show in the Belgisches Haus on Cäcilienstrasse, near Neumarkt square.

Why Cologne is a Roman city

Founded as Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, Cologne was one of the most important Roman cities north of the Alps, and construction sites downtown still turn up finds today. The museum itself grew from a lucky discovery: in 1941, workers digging an air-raid shelter beside the cathedral uncovered the Dionysus Mosaic, laid around AD 220–230. The museum on Roncalliplatz, which opened on March 4, 1974, was built right on top of it, and the towering tomb of the Roman veteran Poblicius was reassembled inside.

The building has been closed since 2019. After changing planners, the city of Cologne now targets reopening in the third quarter of 2029, with costs estimated at about 177 million euros. Until then the mosaic and Poblicius tomb cannot be visited.

What you can see now

The interim museum opened on November 14, 2019 and focuses on key pieces of Cologne's history:

• the celebrated cage cup (Diatretglas), a masterpiece of late Roman glass cutting,
• the so-called Venus of Hohe Strasse,
• an altar dedicated to the goddess Vagdavercustis,
• inscribed tombstones, portrait heads and objects from Roman daily life.

Plan one to one and a half hours. Tours and events can be booked online.

Opening hours and tickets

As of October 2026, per the official website:

• Wednesday to Monday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., closed Tuesdays.
• First Thursday of the month (KölnTag): open until 10 p.m.
• Admission 6 EUR, reduced 3.50 EUR.
• Closed December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1.

How to get there

Cologne is about 1 hour 5 minutes from Frankfurt by high-speed ICE train, and Cologne Bonn Airport is a short S-Bahn ride from the city center. The Belgisches Haus (Cäcilienstrasse 46) is a two-minute walk from the Neumarkt tram and subway hub and about 15 minutes on foot from Cologne Hauptbahnhof. Parking is available in nearby garages accessed from Cäcilienstrasse.

Is it worth visiting?

For history fans, yes, but adjust expectations: the interim show is small and inexpensive, a good one-hour stop rather than a half-day museum. Combine it with the neighboring Museum Schnütgen (medieval art) and Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum (world cultures), then walk to Cologne Cathedral, where fragments of the Roman city wall survive. If you are planning a trip for 2030 or later, check whether the main building on Roncalliplatz has reopened.