Roman Villa Heitersheim

The Roman Museum with excavation finds from the only known Roman villa urbana on the right bank of the Rhine. This villa was built in the 1st century by a Roman large landowner on the road to Sulzburg (Roman silver and lead mining) and existed until about 260. The built-up part of the Villa Urbana was 1500 m², the entire area with vineyards and fields was 55,000 m² and walled. It was divided into a stately residential area, the pars urbana, and an agricultural part, the pars rustica. In the residential area, there was an approximately 18-meter-long water basin in the atrium, modeled after Mediterranean examples. The villa was supplied with running water and had a hypocaust. This representative building was originally surrounded by a Roman fruit, vegetable, and pleasure garden. The larger part of the garden was located east of the villa towards the Black Forest. This garden already offered an impressive view in antiquity. The agricultural part faced the Rhine Valley. The museum offers a glimpse into the cellar of the Villa Urbana. The stairs and the typical niches for vases and statues can be seen. These vases served as decoration and also for storing food. Furthermore, the water basin including the fountain figure has been reconstructed. Ancient finds were used as a guide. The fountain figure depicts a winged boy sitting on a dolphin. This is a common depiction of the god of love Cupido, Greek Eros, in ancient Rome. The floor plan of the villa, which extends to the property of today's Maltese Castle, has been made visible to visitors. Many display cases and information boards provide information about life in ancient Rome. The museum is located at the eastern end of the village next to the Maltese Castle and is currently accessible free of charge.