Roman amphitheatre of Xanten

About

Settled by the Romans around 15 BC, by the 2nd century, Xanten was home to around 15,000 people. Frequent Frankish incursions in the 3rd century eventually overwhelmed the Romans, and they had to abandon the settlement. Xanten is one of the only ancient settlements in Northern Europe that was never built over, allowing archaeologists to restore and recreate the town with fascinating accuracy. Walking through this open air museum, visitors can see the Roman baths, 10,000 seat amphitheatre, reconstructed fortifications and other buildings, and a mysterious temple to an unknown deity. At the on-site museum, visitors will find the day-to-day artefacts, ranging from utensils to money. The park also hosts special events, most notably the world’s largest Roman reenactment festival, with craftsman, and even gladiators bringing the town to life. To view the park’s schedule, please visit http://www.apx.lvr.de/de/willkommen/willkommen_1.html