UNESCO World Heritage Lower German Limes

The Roman border on the Rhine, the so-called ‘wet limes’, is one of many external borders of the Roman Empire. Between Scotland and North Africa, Spain and the Middle East, there were numerous fortifications with which the Romans secured their empire. The Lower Germanic Limes was the oldest and longest existing border. It existed for around 400 years. The Lower Germanic Limes has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021.

The Colonia Ulpia Traiana as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site

On 27 July 2021, the area of the Roman city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the ‘Frontiers of the Roman Empire - Lower Germanic Limes’.

In the series of archaeological sites between Katwijk on the North Sea and Remagen, Colonia Ulpia Traiana, the Roman city of Xanten, is the only Roman city on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Due to its proximity to the large legionary camp Vetera castra and its location directly on the Rhine border, the civilian town was characterised by its military character.

The connections between the civilian town and the military were manifold, whether as a veterans' colony or as a base for recruiting new soldiers. The well-preserved Limes road from the 1st century ran through the middle of the later urban area, while the harbour, which had been extended several times, served as a base for supplying the Roman sites on the Rhine for centuries. After the destruction of Colonia Ulpia Traiana around 275 AD, a large fortress was built in the centre of the old city. It was of considerable importance for border defence in the 4th century.