Waldgirmes Forum

The Waldgirmes Forum was a Roman settlement with stone buildings and a central forum measuring 54 by 45 meters (177 by 148 feet) within an eight-hectare complex. The layout shows the organized way the Romans built and structured their communities.

The Romans founded this settlement around 4 BCE under Drusus, but abandoned it rapidly after a decisive military defeat by Germanic tribes. The abrupt end shows how precarious this distant frontier region was for Rome.

The pottery found here reveals a direct cultural contact between Roman settlers and Germanic peoples living side by side. These everyday objects show how both communities shared the same space during their time together.

You can see the archaeological finds from this excavation at the local history museum in Lahnau or at the Frankfurt Archaeological Museum. These displays help you understand daily life at the site.

Among the finds are fragments of a gilded bronze statue of Emperor Augustus that was left behind during the hurried retreat. This valuable object reveals how rushed the Roman evacuation of this place was.