Archaeological sites Luxembourg

It is one of the largest Roman villas in Central Europe! The Villa of Echternach was discovered in 1975, during the earthworks of the artificial lake in the place called Schwarzuecht: vestiges of walls are touched by excavators. Excavation work then began. It is the original name of this house, the Villa Epternacum, which would have given the name of the city of Echternach.

The museum.Located at the entrance of the site, it exhibits reconstructed scenes of Gallo-Roman daily life with life-size models and models, which give a glimpse of the luxurious interior of the house.

The Hortus Amoenus, the adjoining garden, contains no less than 70 species of medicinal and ornamental plants grown in Roman times. A pergola covered with vines is also accessible.

The Roman villa.The main buildings were 118 m long and 62 m wide and had nearly seventy rooms on the first floor. The villa, extremely luxurious, was composed of rich materials and perfectly decorated: frescos on the walls, marble and mosaics for the ground, bathrooms heated by hypocaust, fountain and large ornamental basin. The 10 hectares of land also included ten annex buildings. The villa was modified and enlarged several times between the 1st and^5th centuries AD before falling into ruin and being used as a "quarry" for reused stones.

The remains of these Roman baths were discovered in 1973. Unfortunately, they offer little to see and contain no historical indications. Restoration work has shown that the vicus on which Mamer is now established was reduced to ashes during the Germanic incursions in 275 and 276. If you are interested in the Gallo-Roman ruins, don't miss the Gallo-Roman kiln from the 4th century, which was part of an important tile factory in Capellen.

Discovered in 1985, this Gallo-Roman theater cut into the rock is extremely well preserved. Located south of Dalheim(Duelem), it is situated on the old Roman road from Metz(Divodurum Mediomatricorum) to Trier(Augusta Treverorum), in the heart of the Roman vicus . It would have been built around 50 AD and could hold up to 3,500 people.

In the past, crowds cheered here for the many entertainment shows offered, ranging from comedy to tragedy. The actors of that time knew how to adapt to all the theatrical registers. The theater was the main attraction of the ancient Roman camp. The site also housed a bathhouse, which had eight rooms for bathing as well as adjacent structures.

The major part of the theater building would have been destroyed during the 3rd century. Covered by a roof in order to protect it from the assaults of time, the place lost today somewhat of its magnificence..

The site was however revalued thanks to archaeological excavations undertaken in 2007. Among the objects found are coins, paintings, hairpins, jewelry, statuettes of Roman deities, as well as a complete system of harnesses and tools... some of which are now on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris!

Tofind out more: don't hesitate to ask for information at the documentation center of the nearby archaeological site.

In the Miecher forest, several ruins of a Gallo-Roman farm have been uncovered and are being beautifully restored. Built in the 1st century AD, the estate extended over no less than 5 hectares and was bounded by a rampart. At least seven stone buildings were present on the site. It was probably occupied until the end of the 4th century. Numerous signs give indications about the site and life at the time.

Mersch houses, in a small building in the centre of the Rue des Romains, the foundations of a Gallo-Roman villa with a very well preserved hypocaust (an underfloor heating system). The site was partially excavated in 1905-1906, by the state architect C. Arendt. About 20 metres away, there are traces of what was once a monumental basin, 6 m wide and 75 m long. This basin, once made of stone,is today largely covered by grass. The drainage channel channelled the excess water back into the Mamer.

It is at the Titelberg (or Tëtelbierg), an area of 50 ha above and south of the current Pétange and Rodange, and of Minett Park (Fond-de-Gras), which was established in the first century BC. It created a fortified city that would become the region's largest shopping centre, as evidenced by thousands of Celtic coins found in the vicinity. Excavations in some parts of the site clearly show the remains of the Celtic city and the vicus (city) gallo-Roman that succeeded it.