Dramatic impressions and exciting insights into Germany's Roman past are characteristic features of the signposted German Limes Route, which runs for approx. 550km from Rheinbrohl/Bad Hönningen to Regensburg, It follows the course of the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes - the boundary of the Roman empire - from the Rhine to the Danube. The outer Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes, a Roman defensive fortification with ditches, ramparts, palisades, walls, towers and forts, is one of the largest archaeological monuments in Central Europe. There are also museums, some built to protect Roman ruins, others take the form of archaeological parks close to a Limes feature with reconstructions or excavations that have been restored. Border structures continued to be extended and forts erected until around 260/270 AD when Roman rule in Germania came to an end. This is now a real paradise for amateur archaeologists and historians.
More than 70 towns and villages have joined together to form the Limes Route to preserve this UNESCO world heritage. Nature lovers will delight in the Limes trail from one staging post to another along the Roman border wall. The reconstructed fort and open-air museum at Saalburg evokes impressions of life in the Roman empire 2,000 years ago. Located to the north of Bad Homburg, Saalburg Fort is one of the best preserved sites. The excavation of this large fort was continued when it was reconstructed in 1897 at the request of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Today the Roman fort known as Saalburg is part of an archaeological park and open-air museum. It is the only reconstructed Roman fort complete with all the buildings, fixtures and fittings used in that period. Get on your bike and cycle back in time. The 900km or so of the Limes Cycle Trail passes the most notable Roman sites, but has other interesting aspects too. The terrain varies from region to region and includes some hilly sections to bring out the athlete in all keen cyclists.
