Model of the Roman Colonia Ulpia Traiana

The Roman City

Of the many Roman cities in Upper and Lower Germania, only two bore the title of ‘Colonia’, whose inhabitants had Roman citizenship: Cologne, which was later elevated to the status of Colonia by Emperor Claudius in 50 AD, and Colonia Ulpia Traiana, today's Xanten, which was readily established as a Colonia by Emperor Trajan around 110 AD.
Both cities are connected by the Limes and the Rhine: as the border of the Roman Empire and as the main transport artery of the two Germanic provinces. The Lower Germanic Limes from the North Sea to Rheinbrohl has also been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Frontiers of the Roman Empire’ since 2021.
Colonia Ulpia Traiana in Xanten tells a fascinating story of Roman power, culture and change on the Lower Rhine. Follow the traces of a once flourishing city and learn about its origins, heyday and decline.
The Colonia Ulpia Traiana Rendering of an aerial view of the Roman city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana as it would have looked around the year 200
The Roman border on the Rhine, the Lower Germanic Limes, secured the Roman Empire and was a place of trade and cultural exchange. The Lower Germanic Limes has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021.
UNESCO World Heritage Lower German Limes View on the Limes Pavilion with young trees in the foreground and the LVR Römermuseum in the background