Roman fort Saalburg, Bad Homburg, Germany

Saalburg is a reconstructed Roman fort near Bad Homburg in the German state of Hesse. A small earthwork fort stood here around AD 90, and the stone fort for a cohort of about 500 soldiers dates from around AD 135; it guarded a pass through the Taunus hills on the Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes, the frontier of the Roman Empire. Emperor Wilhelm II had the fort rebuilt between 1897 and 1907, and today it is the most complete reconstruction of a Roman fort on the Limes, with an archaeological park and museum. Since 2005 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Frontiers of the Roman Empire”.

Location

Saalburg is in the Taunus hills above the spa town of Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, about 20 kilometres north of Frankfurt am Main. Address: Am Römerkastell 1, 61350 Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, Germany. The fort lies in the forest.

How to Get There

Saalburg is accessible by several transport options:

• Train: Bad Homburg station with S-Bahn connections from Frankfurt, or the Taunusbahn (RB 15) to Saalburg/Lochmühle, then about 45 minutes on foot along the Limes trail
• Bus: Line 5 from Bad Homburg station, a few times a day on weekdays only
• Car: Parking is available directly at the site
• Hiking/Cycling: Well-marked forest trails connect the fort with surrounding areas

The site is approximately 30–40 minutes by car from central Frankfurt.

What You Can See

Visitors to Saalburg can explore a reconstructed Roman military camp:

• The Main Gate (Porta Praetoria) – faithfully reconstructed entrance to the fort
• The Principia (Headquarters Building) – administrative center of the Roman garrison
• Barracks and Officers’ Quarters – illustrating daily life of Roman soldiers
• Roman Baths (Thermae) – remains and partial reconstructions of bathing facilities
• Archaeological Museum – displaying Roman weapons, tools, coins, and everyday objects
• Limes Trail – sections of the ancient Roman frontier earthworks

Live demonstrations, workshops, and reenactments are occasionally organized, particularly in summer.

Ticket Prices

• Adults: €8, reduced €6
• Children and teenagers (6–17): €3; under 6 free
• Family tickets: €16 for two adults with children up to 17, €8 for one adult with children
• Dogs on a lead: €1

Visitor Information

From March to October the fort is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, and from November to February from 10:00 to 16:00; it is closed on Mondays and on 24 and 31 December, and last admission is 30 minutes before closing. A typical visit lasts 2–3 hours. The site is family-friendly and includes interactive exhibitions suitable for children, and the Taberna museum restaurant is on site. Comfortable footwear is recommended due to outdoor walking areas.