Hanau Unveils Rare Roman Treasures in UNESCO Limes Anniversary Exhibition

A new exhibition marking the 20th anniversary of the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes as a UNESCO World Heritage Site will open in Hanau. The event begins on December 7, 2025, at Schloss Steinheim Museum, featuring rare Roman artifacts and modern research insights. The exhibition will launch with an opening ceremony at 12:00 PM on December 7, led by Beate Funck, Chair of the City Council. It runs until April 5, 2026, at Schloss Steinheim Museum, located at Schlossstr. 9, 63456 Hanau. The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 5 PM.

On display will be stone monuments from the 3rd century, tied to the Roman cults of Mithras and Dionysus. These were uncovered in Erlensee-Rückingen. A highlight is the first public showing of a newly restored wooden Roman well shaft from Hanau’s Municipal Museums.

The exhibition also includes a presentation of Roman artifacts from the city’s collections. Visitors can explore nearly 200 years of Limes scholarship, alongside modern archaeological methods and notable sites. Complementing the display is a touring roll-up exhibition, currently travelling across Germany for the anniversary.

Workshops and lectures will take place during the exhibition. A Family Roman Workshop is scheduled for February 1, 2026, and a Family Cooking Extravaganza will follow on March 1, 2026. The exhibition offers a chance to see rare artifacts and learn about the Limes’ historical significance. It will remain at Schloss Steinheim Museum until early April 2026. Additional events and displays will run alongside the main exhibition.