History

Haus Bürgel looks back on an exciting and eventful past. As early as the 1^st century AD, Roman soldiers settled along the Rhine, the border to the Germanic tribes. When Frankish invasions from the area on the right bank of the Rhine became more frequent in the 4th century, the Romans built a chain of military forts on the river’s left bank. Haus Bürgel rests on the foundations of this fort, which boasted thick walls and twelve towers. Its foundations are still visible today. A Frankish castle complex was built on the ruins of the fort in the early Middle Ages.

Historical overview:

1^st century: First Roman settlement

4^th century: Construction of a Roman auxiliary fort on the site of today’s Haus Bürgel

5^th century onward: Frankish military facility, later manor house

Approx. 8^th century: Construction of a church in the courtyard with Maternus as patron saint

1019: Archbishop Heribert of Cologne donates Haus Bürgel and the chapel to Deutz Abbey, first documented mention of Haus Bürgel as “Castrum In Burgela”

14^th century: The Rhine changes its course. Haus Bürgel, originally built on the left bank of the Rhine, is now located on the right bank.

1698–1989: Estate owned and managed by the Counts of Nesselrode

1983: Haus Bürgel receives official archaeological monument status

1987: Haus Bürgel receives official architectural monument status

1989: Acquisition of Haus Bürgel and the surrounding areas by the North Rhine-Westphalia Foundation; founding of an association to look after the site: “IG Urdenbacher Kämpe – Haus Bürgel e. V.”

1990s: Restoration and archaeological research

2003: Opening of the Roman Museum

2007: Opening of additional museum rooms

2014: Completion of the Roman oven, archaeological excavations in the Maternus Chapel

2016: Visualization of foundations of Maternus Chapel in the courtyard of Haus Bürgel

2019: Foundation of the non-profit company “Gemeinnützige Haus Bürgel Betriebs gGmbH” and conversion of the former association into “Förderverein Haus Bürgel e. V.”

2020: UNESCO World Heritage List application

2021: Inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Lower Germanic Limes

Learn more about the fascinating history of Haus Bürgel on a guided tour of the Roman Museum.