Cologne Archeological Zone, Archaeological site in Altstadt-Nord, Germany.

The Cologne Archeological Zone, now MiQua. LVR-Jewish Museum in the Archaeological Quarter, is a museum under construction around Rathausplatz in Altstadt-Nord. It will house a roughly 6,000 m² excavation area with low stone and brick foundation walls forming rectangular compartments, some covered by green tarpaulins and black plastic sheeting. Temporary wooden walkways cross the pits, and metal scaffolding stands at the lower right; a wooden barrier separates the dig from a paved working area with white tents and construction equipment.

Excavations after World War II uncovered Roman structures beneath Rathausplatz dating back to the early imperial period, when this area served as the center of a Roman colony. The city decided to protect these layers and open them to the public, rather than build over them.

The mikveh entrance on Rathausplatz was covered by a glass pyramid in 1989; it had to be covered over in 2008 because sunlight and heat were damaging the historic structure. The underground route also passes the Christian goldsmiths' quarter, and the planned museum will present Cologne's Jewish history from the 15th century to the present through biographies and objects.

The entrance to the underground area is on Rathausplatz and can be reached by elevator, which makes access easier for visitors with mobility difficulties. Inside, some walkways are uneven, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.

Part of the site preserves the remains of a Roman praetorium, the official residence and office of the governor of the province of Lower Germany. This made the building one of the most important administrative centers north of the Alps in its time.